Climbing-wall and pendulum-fall, swing apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A climbing wall defines vertical, transverse (horizontally in-and-out, toward-and-away-from wall) and lateral (horizontally sideways) directions, mutually orthogonal. A surface treatment simulates rock by texture, holds, or both. A line (rope, cable) extends from a belay anchor, spaced away from the wall, to a climber at the wall. Line distance is controlled to eliminate slack to start, and continuously if the wall is increasingly steep and possibly curving sideways (laterally). When climbing ends, the climber swings transversely (and, optionally, laterally sideways) away from the wall in a pendulum fall, swinging (oscillating) about the belay anchor for multiple cycles and clear of contact with the wall. The fall may be intentional (the climber releasing a grip on the wall), accidental (falling from own weight), or due to line tension initiated by an automated timer or operator intervention.

BACKGROUND Related Applications

This application: is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/431,524, filed Jun. 3, 2019, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,960,252 Mar.30, 2021; which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/680,909, filed Jun. 5, 2018; U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/757,577, filed Nov. 8, 2018; and U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/839,665, filed Apr. 27, 2019, allof which are incorporated herein by reference.

This patent application hereby incorporates by reference U.S. Pat. No.10,010,798, issued Jul. 3, 2018; U.S. Pat. No. 9,669,319, issued Jun. 6,2017; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15,605,786, filed May 25, 2017;U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/021,625, filed Jun. 28, 2018; U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/680,909, filed Jun. 5, 2018;and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/757,577, filed Nov.8, 2018.

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to amusement rides and, more particularly, tonovel systems and methods for combining a climbing wall and a swingmechanism.

Background Art

Rock climbing is a popular sport that has become more universal aspeople have become aware of its possibilities. The increase inartificial climbing walls and indoor climbing gyms containing such wallshas led to increased training and recreational climbing on artificialclimbing walls.

Meanwhile, thrill rides have been a staple of circuses, carnivals, andtheme parks almost since their inception. At these venues, severalrequirements, including safety and skill, tend to increase the need fortrained staff, trained users, and safety mechanisms for the devices. Inclimbing this need is met with top roping and a belayer, a secondperson. In thrill rides, this need is met by locks, cages, safety bars,and the like that fix persons in a cart that is closely controlled onsome form of support system.

What is lacking is the fun of rock climbing, combined with a swing for asafe pendulum fall as a termination to the climb, and a safe belaythroughout. It would be an advance in the art to provide a system thatcombines a climbing wall, engineered to this specific purpose, with asupport system for a swing acting as a belay system. In this way, at anypoint on a climb, by reason of a climber falling, missing a hold,finishing a route, or timing out, the belay system may be engaged tooperate as a swing providing additional enjoyment, as well as atermination and ready completion of one user's use on such a system.Thus, the fun is doubled, the safety is maintained and increased, thelevel of skill is reduced, while permitting higher levels of skill tostill enjoy equally the thrill of the climb and of the pendulum fall.Meanwhile, the number of attendants required for operating a ride isminimized.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, in accordance with the invention as embodiedand broadly described herein, a method and apparatus are disclosed inone embodiment of the present invention as including a wall extendingforward and above a climber, and typically extending laterally to theright or the left in front of the climber. Typically, the wall will bearcuate, and mounted on a truss as an underlying frame. An overhead beammay extend back from the main frame to suspend a belay line. In otherembodiments, the overhead center of suspension of a climber may bepositioned on some other independent structure, such as a beam, yoke,arch, or the like some distance away from the climbing wall.

A system combining a climbing wall with a swing may be characterized asa climbing wall that will terminate in a pendulum fall. The pendulumfall results in a swinging motion of a harnessed user away from theclimbing wall and out into space away from the wall. A user continues toswing, until the swinging has decayed, after which the system descendsthe user to the original launch area from which the climb was begun, tobe unclipped from the belay line, and released from the climbing area.

New climbers are harnessed, brought to a launch deck, clipped into abelay line, and the line is tensioned to belay the climber on theclimbing wall. The climbing wall may be circular in its concavity,parabolic, elliptical, or some other shape. Typically, a lateral(sideways) progress (e.g., curvature) of the wall, or of the climbingpath, exists with rising altitude. Thus, a climber is typically climbingnot above the portion of the wall that has been climbed, but over emptyspace below the wall, which angles to the right or the left, as itascends.

The system operates as both a climbing wall and a swing. Typically, aclimber will enter a preparation area and harness up with a full bodyharness. The climber may then proceed at an appropriate time withcertain permissions and safety precautions in place, to a launch area. Acomputer may be used to control tension in a connecting line, rope,cable, or the like. Also, a computer may be used to control lengths ofline extended, detect position, read any parameter sensor, and trackoverall maintain safety conditions.

Eventually, in a launch area, a line is connected to a harness on auser. Upon a proper safety check, the user may then proceed to climb thewall. Climbing is done by using hand holds, foot holds, and a texturedsurface of the wall. The wall is maintained in its place by a suitablystrong and stiff framing system. Stringers interconnected by strutsprovide comparatively low or reduced weight with comparatively increasedstrength and stiffness. To that end, the stringers may have end platesmaintaining their relative position with respect to one another, whilethe struts maintain that positioning.

Fasteners may be used to connect segments of framing. Each segment maybe made up of stringers spaced apart and held together by struts.Segments may be connectable to each other by end plates secured to thosestringers.

Supports or stabilizers may be provided to maintain erect acomparatively narrow wall by broadening its base on a pad, foundation,footings, trailer, ground, floor or the like. The frame may actually beanchored and supported below a supporting surface that supports a user.In other embodiments, a base may be secured to a supporting surface,foundation, footings, trailer, floor or the like. The base may supportthe frame extending away from the base and upward. However, an arcuatewall will typically proceed upward, forward, and to the left or rightaway from a starting position.

Provisions for safety may be used for a system, such as providingbuffering spaces between active areas, preparation areas, and the like.Likewise, padding, elastomeric materials in flooring, and the like mayalso protect against falls, bumps, stumbling, and the like. In certainembodiments, a launch deck may actually exist in a launching area, andmay exist above an underlying supporting surface. In other embodiments,the underlying supporting surface may be a floor from which a climbermoves away up the wall.

The climbing wall may be vertical, may have an angle less than vertical,and may be suitably shaped. Typically, in order to improve the operationof the swing, and provide a comparatively constant radius of a harnessof a user away from some center of pivot, the wall may have a circularshape, a parabolic shape, an elliptical shape, or some other arcuateshape.

Depending on the shape of the wall, a positioner may either move acenter of pivoting of a line, or may take up a certain length of line inorder to assure that a climber is always belayed while on the wall, andis always safe to swing upon dis-attaching from the wall.

A positioner may involve a trolley with wheels operating along a rail inorder to support a hanger with connections to the line. In otherembodiments, a ball screw system may move a trolley, a cable system maydo so, a hoist may operate directly on the line, without moving a centerof pivot, or the like.

Typically, sensors may detect position, loading (such as tension, force,pressure, stress, etc.), or other parameters in order to detect thecondition of the line and of the user. Falling from the wall is aneventuality in virtually every case. It forms a part of the operation ofthe system that provides part of the thrill of the climb, and falling ina pendulum fall therefrom. A winch, ball screw, or other system may beoperated by a controller to take-up line, move a center of pivoting, orthe like. In certain embodiments, a process for operation may involveadmitting a climber, harnessing the climber in a safe area followed bymoving the climber to an active area.

Clipping in a harness of a user to a belay line may be followed bypositioning or retracting the center of pivot or the line itself inorder to take up any slack. Sensors may sense tension, position, orother loading or motion parameters in order to determine when to openthe interlocks and permit the climber to climb. Monitoring the varioussensors may determine whether a climber has timed out beyond a permittedtime on the wall, or topped out at the maximum physical extend of thewall, or has fallen from the wall.

Accordingly, a retractor or positioner may take-up line or changeposition of a center of pivot to swing the climber away from the wall,to eventually oscillate back and forth until motion is decayedsufficiently to descend safely to the floor or supporting surface wherethe climber can be released (unclipped, exit, and unharnessed) and leavethe active area.

Various safety checks may be provided such as stop lights, actuation ofa retractor or positioner to remove the ability of a climber to movetoward the wall, or the like. Typically, inspection, safety testing, andthe like will make a user safe in order to continue advancing toclimbing a wall. Other safety mechanisms and sensors are also provided.

A method of belay may simulate both rock climbing and a super-sizedswing along an arc about a belay anchor or point of belay (center ofpivot). One may provide a wall simulating a rock formation and extendingabove a supporting surface, such as the ground, a floor, a concrete pad,a deck on a trailer on the like. A belay anchor may be provided remotefrom the wall, supported by one of several mechanisms such as an archfrom the ground or another supporting surface, a yoke from the same orfrom a base of the climbing wall, or even a cantilevered beam extendingfrom the top of the wall back over the horizontal distance to the baseof the wall.

Upon harnessing a climber into a harness and securing the harness to thebelay anchor by a line extending therebetween, a climber may beprotected (belayed) against falling. A climber may fall, but the lineassures that the climber will not fall straight down, nor uncontrolled.

A retractor system may minimize a length of the line between the belayanchor and the harness during an ascent of the climber along theclimbing wall some distance. Any of various mechanisms include a ballscrew assembly, a winch, an ascender, or other one-way take-up devicesmay be employed to take up slack if the natural curvature of the walldoes not do so.

Rather than climbing up a vertical wall, a climber may encounter acircular, elliptical, parabolic, or other shape for the climbing surface(presented face) of the wall. A frame behind the wall supports andstiffens a front facing material such as plywood provided withtexturing, handholds, or both to simulate rock.

Rather than descending in a belayed climb using friction, a climber“falls” from the wall in a pendulum fall. However, this is not aconventional, and dangerous pendulum fall so assiduously avoided by rockclimbers. A conventional pendulum fall occurs when a climber falls froma location that is some horizontal distance away from the closestprotection, typically a bolt and hanger through which a “quick draw” isanchored. A quick draw is two carabiners with a flexible sling extendingbetween them, one carabiner to connect to the hanger and one carabinerto connect to the rope.

A conventional pendulum fall will typically drag a climber along theface of a rock formation or climbing wall, banging and bruising againstprotrusions from the surface. If a formation or wall has an overhang,the pendulum may cause a climber to swing back and into the mainvertical portion of the rock or wall.

In contrast, in a method and apparatus in accordance with the invention,a fall (dropping the climber in harness in a pendulum fall) swings theclimber and harness away from the wall, due to the horizontally remotelocation of the belay anchor. The harness and climber will thus swing inan arc about the belay anchor for multiple cycles, like a rope swing ona tree.

When the swinging has stopped, or decayed sufficiently, or when a timelimit has expired, the harness may lower to stop the swinging andrelease the climber from the line by unclipping a carabiner connectingthe harness to the line. By using a full body harness, and properlylocating a connecting ring or the like, a user (climber) may bemaintained upright during swinging, or nearly so, or horizontal. Uprightappears to provide the fewest complications for swinging and forstopping.

In some embodiments, the line (e.g., a rope, wire rope, cable, etc.) maybe the pivoting member as it flexes near the belay anchor. It willtypically run over a pulley. It may instead wrap around a pulley whichthen pivots on an axle secured at the belay anchor location.

Taking up slack in the line may be important. An attendant may take upslack by pulling the line through an ascender device or other one-wayholding device. Alternatively the pivoting point may be connected to atrolley or other system motorized to move away from the wall(horizontally, vertically, or both) the point at which the line pivots.This action may be taken before a climber starts climbing, thereafter,and often both. Sensors may detect tension or slack in the line,position, or both and trigger taking up of the line or moving of thebelay anchor location or belay pivot in response to detection of theslack, a position, etc.

Taking up slack may include retrieving a portion of the line or movingthe belay anchor (meaning any component of that belay anchoring systemthat may draw the climber further from the wall) away from the wall. Thewall is typically curved to change in slope with altitude as one climbsup the wall. In some embodiments, a climber might swing clear with noactive element required to distance the climber from the wall uponfalling therefrom. In other embodiments, slack or length may be taken upduring the climb, upon falling, after falling, or any combinationthereof to assure a safe, oscillating movement of the climber suspendedon the line.

The wall may be shaped to extend farther sideways on a first edgethereof and retreat farther sideways on a second edge thereof, oppositethe first edge, with altitude. The wall may lean, proceed, or driftright or left in a warping shape with distance up the wall. In this way,a fall from the wall is always into space below the wall rather thandownward to a lower part of the wall.

The wall may be constructed to deploy on a trailer secured to supportand stabilize the wall in the deployed configuration. The wall may liedown for storage and transport to be later pivoted up (tilted up) tostand on the trailer, or to stand on the ground behind the trailer (bypivoting about a horizontal axis across the back end of the trailer forexample).

The wall is more suitable, and more realistic if it has a surfacecontaining texturing simulating the surface roughness of rock and holdsof various sizes and shapes simulating a rock formation. Holds may begrasped or otherwise engaged by hands or feet, some being suitable forboth.

The slope of the wall requires less active control over the line if itchanges strictly monotonically (always in one direction, regardless ofrate of change or any specific value of slope). Slope is sometimescalled “rise over run,” meaning “rise divided by run,” or a change invertical elevation as a function of change in horizontal position. Onemay think of an increase in the angle of the wall measured with respectto a horizontal line (datum) extending behind (back side, opposite theclimbing face) and away from a base of the wall at a bottom end of thewall. That angle (slope) will start comparatively smaller and growcomparatively larger as one ascends the wall. It may even proceed to anoverhang, and still be monotonically increasing. From the front,climbing face, the wall begins closer to parallel with a supportingsurface, decreasing to zero if it achieves a completely horizontal(parallel) overhang above a horizontal supporting surface.

The wall may comprise a surface supported by a frame fixed with respectto the supporting surface proximate a first, proximal, end of the frame.The frame will typically be cantilevered (extended unsupported except byitself away from some anchoring location closer to a base end) near asecond, distal, end thereof. The surface may be a surface of afiberglass wall or other composite structure. Plywood may also serve asa wall material, with texturing and hand holds attached thereto.

The belay anchor is secured to a support. That support may be a beamsecured to a top end of the wall to be supported thereby and extend awaytherefrom. The support may be an arch, structurally independent from thewall. A yoke extending upward and away from a bottom end of the wall orfrom a supporting surface nearby may provide support for a beamextending across the yoke. If other structures are nearby, they mayserve as anchoring systems from which to suspend a belay anchor. Forexample, a pulley may be suspended from cables extending in at leastthree directions to completely stabilize it. Those cables (wire ropes),or the like may be sufficiently strong and stiff to extend fromstructures (trees, towers, poles, buildings, amusement ride frames,etc.) to completely eliminate any need for an overhead structure ofsolid, inflexible, structural members thereabove.

An apparatus as an amusement ride may include a wall, extending above asupporting surface and containing fixtures along a climbing routethereon simulating rock climbing. A belay anchor may be securedhorizontally away, and vertically away, to be remote from the wall, anddraw a falling climber horizontally theretoward.

A line may connected to pivot at or about the belay anchor. A line(rope, wire rope, chain, etc.) may extend over a pulley to flextherearound. It may wrap and around a pulley and be clamped to itself,while the pulley pivots about an axle fixed above and away from thewall. The position of the pivoting point may be moved by a motor, winch,slide, ball screw, or other “retractor” mechanism to increase distanceof a harness, and thus a climber, away from the wall after a fall.

A harness, secured to the belay anchor by the line and operabletherewith may receive a climber therein. The line may thus belay theclimber while climbing on the wall. It is especially intended that itsupport the climber oscillating in an arcuate path away from the wallupon falling, by the climber, from the wall. To do so, a retractor mayactivate or otherwise act to increase the distance of a climber awayfrom the wall by about two to four feet (50 cm to 1.3 meters) in orderto assure that no body part nor component of the moving structures,line, or harness may contact the wall or its underlying frame, nor anyother fixed object.

A positioner may operably connected to swing the climber clear of thewall by adjusting at least one of a position of the belay anchor and alength of the line. Orientation of the climber during the fall andswinging may be controlled by the harness. If the harness constitutes afull-body harness, a single link proximate an upper portion of a torsoof the climber will stably and safely suspend the climber from the linewith little danger of ever contacting the wall on a return of the“swing.” In fact, with a “warped wall” ascending as it proceeds sidewayswith elevation, may be rigged to assure that a user cannot return intocontact with the wall.

The harness is secured to the belay pivot by the line extendingtherebetween. A positioner operates to minimize a length (radius, in afall) of the line between the belay anchor and the harness during anascent of the wall by the climber. A guide may be installed to urge theline and harness along a constant path, without precession into anothervertical plane. Thus, it is guided away from oscillating back orreturning toward a lower portion of the wall during the multiple cyclesof oscillating.

The positioner may be configured to lower the climber in the harness toan ending position proximate the supporting surface. This may be timed,or simply occur when oscillations have died down in amplitude (decayed)sufficiently that the climber can stop moving and stand on thesupporting surface. An operator may intervene to hold a tether to theharness or activate an interfering element (bar, pulley, etc.) or two tocapture the line and damp oscillations.

In some embodiments, a frame structurally supporting the wall (includingits frame; or sometimes the frame alone as a support for the wall) mayextend as a cantilever (unsupported, other than self-supporting). Thiswill typically mean it extends somewhat horizontally, as well asvertically, above the supporting surface. It may extend above some lowerportion of itself that is stabilized by struts, outriggers, or the likeand anchored at a base end to the supporting surface or the groundbelow.

A control assembly may be operably connected to control a radius ofextension of the line between the positioner and the wall. This may byoperated and activated by an attendant. All or part of the activitiesmay be programmatically controlled to respond to sensors, attendantactivated buttons or other inputs, or the like.

Alternative belay support structures for extending from the supportingsurface may anchor in at least two distinct locations to support thebelay anchor. This creates a clear space for the oscillations of theclimber therewithin and away from contact directly with any fixedobject. Fixed objects of concern include the wall, its underlying frame,and any belay support structure. Upon falling from the wall by theclimber, the climber needs to swing clear of all fixed objects byphysical configuration of the system, by active moving elements, or by acombination thereof.

A trailer may make a system mobile. A trailer may support the wall in afirst, stowed, configuration reposed proximate the frame of the trailer.The wall may then move to a second, deployed, configuration suitable forclimbing and extending upward away from the frame of the trailer.

Thus, in general a wall may define vertical (up-and-down), transverse(in-and-out; forward-and-backward), and lateral (side-to-side)directions with respect to the wall, all mutually orthogonal, andprovided with a treatment simulating rock. A belay location is spacedlaterally (sideways) and transversely (out, back and forth) away fromthe wall. A climber is strapped into a harness, which then secures to aline extending from the belay location. After a safety check, anattendant, the line, the belay system, or a gate may release the climberto climb the wall. Upon completion, release, timeout, fall, or otherfailure, a climber falls, swinging in an arc passing laterally andtransversely away from the wall in a pendulum fall. The climber inharness will oscillate in a swinging motion supported by the belaylocation for multiple cycles without contacting the wall or other fixedobject.

A fall, initiating the swinging, may itself be initiated by the climberreleasing a grip from the wall, the climber falling from the wall fromforce of the climber's own weight, or tension applied to and in theline. Tension may be exerted in response to one of an automated timerand an operator activating the tension to pull the climber away from thewall. Force may be a result of a winch, ball screw, slide, crank, orother motorized system drawing in a portion of the line.

One method of combined belay and swinging may include providing a wallpresenting a climbing surface; providing a support capable of supportingswinging by a climber about a location remote from the wall; providing aline extending from the support and capable of belaying the climberwhile climbing the wall; providing a belay takeup operably connected tobe capable of automatically retrieving slack created in the line by theclimber ascending and preventing contact by the climber with the walland with the loading surface by containing the line against paying outfrom the belay takeup until after completion of the swinging on the lineby the climber; harnessing the climber into a harness capable ofsupporting the climber and connecting to the line; securing the harnessto the line when the climber is on the loading surface; retracting,automatically by the belay takeup, the line during an ascent of theclimber upward along the wall; and swinging the climber in a fall alonga path leading away from the wall, the fall being controlled throughoutby the line and supported by the support together precluding the climbertouching the wall and precluding the climber touching the loadingsurface.

In addition, the method may include falling by the climber from the wallas a result of at least one of the climber accidentally losing grip onthe wall and the line pulling the climber away from the wall. That mayinclude providing a pivot location on the support capable of securingthe line thereagainst, the pivot location being movable along thesupport between a first position proximate the wall and a secondposition spaced away from the wall; positioning the pivot location inthe first position during the ascending; and moving, by the pivotlocation, to the second position in response to the falling.

To this may be added defining, by the line, a first path, proceedingfrom the wall to a maximum extension of the line below the pivotlocation in the second position, and a second path, scribing an arc at afixed radius from the pivot location in the second position. Such amethod may also comprise providing an attenuator capable of reducingforces applied by the line to the climber when the first path intersectsthe second path during the falling.

The basic method or its alternative improvements may include providing acarrier supporting the pivot location and movable along the support by acarrier takeup; and supporting the climber above the loading surface, bythe line, while returning the climber to proximate the loading surface.This may be improved by controlling the amount of the line paying outand retracting by the belay takeup; and controlling the positioning ofthe pivot location along the support by the carrier takeup moving thecarrier with respect to the support.

To these steps may be included moving the climber along a substantiallylevel course as the carrier moves from the first position to the secondposition by coordinating operation of the belay takeup and carriertakeup simultaneously. In any method hereinabove, the wall may have asurface containing at least one of texturing and holds capable ofsimulating a rock formation and is supported by a frame.

Likewise, any method may include providing a drop location along thesupport, spaced from the wall sufficiently to preclude the climbertouching the wall; drawing the climber away from the wall and toward thedrop location by the line; and positioning the climber under the droplocation before initiating the fall.

In one embodiment of an apparatus operable as a combined belayedclimbing wall and swing, the apparatus may include a wall capable ofsupporting a climber climbing from a starting area proximate a bottomend thereof to a completion area proximate a top end thereof; a lineoperably connected to belay the climber; a first takeup operablyconnected to automatically take up a portion of the line in response tothe climber ascending the wall, and maintain the portion during fallingof the climber subsequent to the climbing; a harness, capable ofreceiving a climber and securing to the line; and a carrier positionableproximate the wall to suspend the line to the climber during theclimbing and movable horizontally away from the wall in response to thefalling.

It may include the carrier, line, and harness together forming a swingcapable of swinging the climber away from the wall after the climbing tooscillate about the carrier in a path perpendicular to the wall. It mayalso include a second takeup operably connected to move the carriertoward the wall to a belay position to effect the belaying; and acontroller operably connected to control at least one of the firsttakeup and the second takeup and to initiate the falling.

The apparatus may include, typically, a support operating as a trackextending perpendicular to a surface of the wall and supporting thecarrier continuously between the belay position as a first positionproximate the wall and a second position spaced away from the wall as aswinging position capable of supporting the swinging. The carriertypically is or includes a trolley capable of moving along the track ina single dimension while supporting the line suspended therebelow. Also,the line and carrier together define a first path of the climber, alongthe wall during the climbing, a second path of the climber away from thewall through space during the falling, and a third path of the climberconstituting an oscillation with respect to the carrier fixed thereaboveat the second position.

In one embodiment, an apparatus may include first and second takeupsoperably connected to attenuate momentum of the oscillation by the firsttakeup simultaneously controlling the portion of the line extending fromthe carrier to the climber while the second takeup changes a position ofthe carrier along the support. The apparatus may include a controlleroperably connected and to control operation of the first takeup and thesecond takeup. The controller may be computerized (include a processorand programming capabilities) and be programmatically controlled tooperate automatically without human intervention during the climbing,falling, and swinging.

The carrier and line may define a fourth path of the climber passinghorizontally toward the wall from a midpoint of the oscillation of theclimber. The climber may be conducted along the fourth path by operationof the first takeup paying out the line to maintain the climber on alevel trajectory and operation of the second takeup drawing the carriertoward the wall.

An apparatus operable as a combined climbing belay and pendulum swingmay typically include a support capable of mounting to extendhorizontally away from a top end of a climbing wall; a carrier movablealong the support between a first position proximate the climbing walland a second position remote from the wall; a line threaded over thecarrier to extend therebelow and capable of connecting to a harness of aclimber; and controls operably connected to be capable of controllingpositioning of the carrier and the line to belay the climber duringclimbing by, fixing the carrier at the first position, and swing theclimber away from the wall while falling from the wall, by moving thecarrier to the second position, and swinging the climber in anoscillation about the carrier by fixing the carrier at the secondposition.

The controls include a first takeup operably connected to move the line;a second takeup operably connected to move the carrier; and a controlleroperably connected to control operation of the first takeup andoperation of the second takeup. The line extends vertically a distanceabove a loading surface to a support capable of supporting swinging by aclimber about a location remote from the wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the present invention will become more fullyapparent from the following description and appended claims, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are,therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the inventionwill be described with additional specificity and detail through use ofthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a climbing wall swingcombination in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is an alternative perspective view thereof, absent a launch deck,line (rope), and harness;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the principal frame structure thereof;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the frame of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a right side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a left side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a rear elevation view thereof;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the frame of a mobileclimbing wall and swing system in accordance with the invention, in afully deployed configuration;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 12 in a partiallyfolded or stowed configuration, with details of the truss work replacedby their envelope (spatial volume) for clarity;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view thereof in a fully stowed configuration;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a preparation andlaunching area for a system in accordance with the invention, using astep and elevated deck above the floor as an entry to the climbing wall;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment thereof,using a simulated rock starting shape, and a preparation area and safetyzone marked on a flush floor;

FIG. 17A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a support system ona climbing wall and swing in accordance with the invention, having asupport rather than a fully cantilevered top truss (beam);

FIG. 17B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment thereof, inwhich the horizontal beam extending from the frame of the climbing wallis unnecessary, as the line and swing will suspend from the independentsupport spaced away from the wall and its frame.

FIG. 18A is an alternative embodiment of a frame for a climbing wall,relying on a yoke to provide end support for horizontal trusses, andclearance for swinging space;

FIG. 18B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment thereof, inwhich the horizontal beam extending from the frame of the climbing wallis unnecessary, as the line and swing will suspend from the independentsupport spaced away from the wall and its frame.

FIG. 19A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a frame,relying on an arch to support an end of a horizontal truss system;

FIG. 19B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment thereof, inwhich the horizontal beam extending from the frame of the climbing wallis unnecessary, as the line and swing will suspend from the independentsupport spaced away from the wall and its frame.

FIG. 20 is a front elevation view of an alternative embodiment of theframing system of FIG. 3, this having no offset sideways (laterally)between the base and the top of the frame;

FIG. 21 is a side elevation view thereof, having a circular path from acenter of pivot out toward the base of, and the entirety of, the framestructure;

FIG. 22 is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of aframing system for a climbing wall swing, having a parabolic shapeincreasing elevation more quickly as a function of transverse distancethan would a circular arc of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of a framestructure in accordance with the invention, this having an ellipticalshape, producing an increased rate of vertical rise in less of ahorizontal distance, while also providing an overhanging return of thestructure near the top end thereof;

FIGS. 24A, 24B, and 24C are side elevation views of a distal end of atop beam of a frame in accordance with the invention, illustrating aprocess of movement of one embodiment of a supporting system and take-upsystem for supporting a tether or climbing belay line, wherein thecenter of pivot (of a pivot anchor or belay anchor) is permitted orrequired to move following a climber leaving the wall structure, thencatch and remain there, thereby providing more clearance away from thewall during any return swinging of a climber toward the wall;

FIG. 25A is a perspective view of one alternative embodiment of atake-up or retractor system to move the center of pivot before, after,or both with respect to fall of a user on a belay line connected to aclimber who will swing away from the wall near the top thereof;

FIG. 25B is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment thereof,wherein a ball screw drives a slide supporting the center of pivot androlling, sliding, or otherwise moving along a supporting rail;

FIG. 25C is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment thereof,wherein the carrier is widened side-to-side, and two centers of pivotare used to support two lines supporting a user or rider, and a swivel,which may also be used on all of the other embodiments of linessupporting a user;

FIG. 26A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a take-up(retractor) system for changing the radius by changing the length ofline extended by a hydraulically actuated block and tackle, rather thanaltering the center of pivot, for a line that operates initially as abelay, and then as a swing for a climber on a wall in accordance withthe invention;

FIG. 26B is a perspective view of a vertically installed hydraulicallydriven block and tackle, illustrating a line tension sensor and variousalternative pulleys and guides for keeping a line on the pulleyproviding the center of pivot;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the take-up or retractor system of FIG.26A, relying on a winch directly rather than the block and tackle, thisretractor operating more directly on a line to support a climber duringbelaying and adjusting line length during climbing and consequentswinging operations;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a swing mechanismincluding a top pulley providing a center of pivot about its axis ofrotation and having a line descending therefrom connecting to a harnessof a climber who will swing away from the wall after climbing it, on thesame line that operated as a belay, also wherein a take-up is operableby a rider operator who takes up slack in the supporting line before aclimbing event;

FIG. 29 is an alternative embodiment of a take-up and retractorapparatus to take up slack in a line operating as a belay, adjusting asneeded throughout a climb and a consequent swing for a climber of a wallin accordance with the invention, also showing a swivel between the lineand the harness of a user, which swivel may be applied to any or allembodiments of connections between the line and a harness;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an alternative framing system for aclimbing wall in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 31 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 32 is a right side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 33 is a schematic block diagram of a process for operating a systemin accordance with the invention;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a cross-swing alternative embodiment ofa system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 35 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 36 is a frontal perspective view of a parallel-swing alternativeembodiment;

FIG. 37 is a rear perspective view thereof;

FIG. 38 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 39 is a top plan view of another alternative embodiment in a starconfiguration of upper beams;

FIG. 40 is a side elevation view of an alternative crane-like embodimentof multiple swing systems about a central tower for purposes ofsupporting a climbing wall near that center tower;

FIG. 41 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 42 is an alternative embodiment of a multiple swing climbing towermounted on a trailer frame to be mobile;

FIG. 43 is a side elevation view of a system in accordance with theinvention having a curved wall below an upper beam, in which the safetyline or cable to a climber is automatically retracted or retrieved by anauto take system, and a tower provides vertical support for the upperbeam;

FIG. 44 is a side elevation view of a system in accordance with theinvention relying on an automatic take up and having an overhang orinverted region near the top of the climbing wall;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a simplified embodiment in which aswing tower is installed near a more conventional vertical climbingwall, using a stair or other riser to assure that a climber can neverswing sufficiently close to the ground to strike it, and the take up isnot automatic, but is provided by a belayer;

FIG. 46 is a side elevation view of an alternative embodiment of aframe, overhead beam, and multiple takeup systems for taking up both thebelay lines on a climber and moving a spreader bar along the overheadbeam in a front-anchored, full body harness;

FIG. 47 is a side elevation view thereof suitable to retro fit onto anyconventional, vertical climbing wall;

FIG. 48 is a side elevation view thereof with a user (climber)approaching the frame supporting the wall with an overhead trolleyadjusting belay lines and a suspension point thereof at each end of aspreader bar suspended from the trolley;

FIG. 49 is a side elevation view thereof illustrating a climber havingascended the wall supported by the tower, in a position to drop,release, fall or otherwise leave the wall and tower to swing awaytherefrom on the belay lines; and

FIG. 50 is a side elevation view thereof with a climber having left thewall, swinging away therefrom, on the belay lines suspended from thespreader bar under the trolley, as the trolley moves away from the walland its supporting tower or frame and toward the far or distal end ofthe overhead, lateral beam.

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a track and trolleyfor a system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 52 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cable hoist systemfor take up devices for a trolley and a belay line to a climber inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 53 is a perspective view of the track and trolley system of FIG. 51threaded with the lines for trolley movement and belay;

FIG. 54 is a perspective view of the takeup systems of FIG. 52 threadedwith the takeup lines for belay and trolley movement;

FIG. 55 is a schematic diagram of the user path in a system inaccordance with the invention including a climb, a fall trajectory,swinging, and returning to the launch location;

FIG. 56 is a schematic block diagram of one embodiment of a process foroperating a system in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 57 is a schematic block diagram of a generalized system inaccordance with the invention; and

FIG. 58 is a schematic block diagram of hydraulic control andmonitoring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be readily understood that the components of the presentinvention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawingsherein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of differentconfigurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of theembodiments of the system and method of the present invention, asrepresented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention, as claimed, but is merely representative of variousembodiments of systems and methods in accordance with the invention. Theillustrated embodiments will be best understood by reference to thedrawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 11, while referring generally to FIGS. 1through 57, a system 10 may define directions 11 a, 11 b, 11 c as,respectively a more-or-less vertical direction 11 a, a more-or-lesshorizontal, forward-and-backward direction 11 b (transverse direction 11b), and a lateral direction 11 c (side-to-side), orthogonal to both theformer. The system 10 may include a wall 12 styled as a climbing wall12. Such a wall 12 will typically be used as a substitute for rockclimbing on natural rock faces. Typically, an indoor climbing gym orbouldering center will include such walls 12 in various shapes andconfigurations. Each may be provided with a roughened frontal surfacetexture. This is typically formed of a paint and grit, such as a sandsuspended in the paint and applied as a texturing of the wall 12.

The wall 12 may be mounted on a frame 14 styled as an arcuate truss 14beginning at some lower level 15 a (bottom end) and rising to somemaximum height at a top end 15 b. Overhead, a beam 16 may cantileverfrom an attached end 17 a an upper end of the frame 14. It returns inthe transverse direction back toward the bottom end of the frame 14. Thebeam 16 may support a positioner 18 (retractor 18) at an extreme end 17b thereof almost directly over the bottom end 15 b of the frame 14.

The positioner 18 may work in any number of ways. It may include variousoptional mechanisms 18 in order to define a swing 20 device. It may bemade up of a motorized, manual, or automated positioner 18. It mayinclude or suspend from a carrier system 21 above a station 22 forpreparation of a user 60 or climber 60 (see, e.g., FIGS. 47 through 50).

Typically, the climber 60 may prepare (harness, learn, etc.) at apreparation station 22, then step to a deck 24 or launch area 24. Thisintroduction area 24 accesses the bottom end 15 a of the wall 12supported on the frame 14. In one currently contemplated embodiment, auser 60 may put on a harness system, typically providing full bodysupport, rather than a simple waist-type harness. It is installed longbefore approaching the launch deck 24. Since dressing in a harness mayrequire substantial time, several individual “riders” 60 or “climbers”60 may be dressed properly and prepared in some preparation area 22 awayfrom the launch deck 24.

In several currently contemplated embodiments, a line 27 connects to theharness 28 on a user 60. This harness 28 provides mechanisms forconnecting to the line 27, which, in turn, connects to the positioner 18at one extreme end of the overhead beam 16. The line 27 operates as abelay line 27 preventing a climber 60 from falling in a harmful way, ina harmful direction, or to a harmful distance.

However, this line 27 operates differently from both lead climbinglines, and top roped lines. Instead of suspending directly above avertical climbing wall 12, the line 27 actually extends from the climber60 out to the positioner 18 on the overhead beam 16. Thus, every fallbecomes exciting, even thrilling, a pendulum fall, which would otherwisebe dangerous, and anathema to conventional climbing.

For example, a pendulum fall in natural rock, and even on an artificialclimbing wall, such as is presented in many gyms, is a disaster. Thereason for this is that a pendulum fall is from a suspension pointeither above a climber 60 (in top-roping), or below a climber 60 (inlead climbing). In top roping, a fall is not substantial, and may not bepermitted if a belayer below a climber 60 is maintaining tension on therope. In lead climbing, a vertical fall of twice the distance to ananchor (protection) will result. However, on overhangs, on traverses,and the like, a fall may be a pendulum fall about some pivot point ofthe line suspended from an anchor, some lateral and transverse distanceaway from the climber 60. Thus, a pendulum fall results in a climber 60swinging along the wall on which a grip has been lost, and swinging intosome other object, typically another part of a rock or another part ofthe wall. From an overhang, the fall may be into space or back into themain wall, with devastating impact.

In an apparatus and method in accordance with the invention, a pendulumfall is the end result of the climb. As a climber 60 releases from thewall 12, the weight of the climber 60 results in the swing 20(constituted by the line 27, harness 28, and possibly including thesupports 16, 18). The climber 60 swings away from the wall 12, and outinto space away from the wall. Ultimately, as a swing 20 operates, theclimber 60 may then be returned to oscillating positions close to thewall 12 and away from the wall 12. Eventually natural damping slowsmovement, and permits a climber 60 (rider 60) to stand once again on thelaunch deck 24 or nearby on a supporting surface.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 11, while continuing to refer generally toFIGS. 1 through 57, the wall 12 may be provided with holds 30 of variousshapes designed and engineered to provide a resemblance to natural rockformations. Each of these holds 30 is supported by a bolt and “T-nut”through the material (e.g., fiberglass, wood, etc.) of the wall 12. Thesurface 32 may be treated with a paint material, and will typicallyinclude a grit, such as sand, or other material suspended in paintapplied to the surface 32.

The frame 14, as well as the overhead beam 16 or beam 16, may be formedfrom a series of stringers 34 effectively spaced some engineereddistance apart along the lengths thereof. These stringers 34 may bestraight, such as in the beam 16, or curved, such as in the frame 14.Spacing between the stringers 34 is maintained by struts 36, which mayangled at suitable directions as engineering strength and stiffness maydictate. Minimizing weight and maximizing strength and stiffness willtypically provide a system of struts 36 that sparsely fill the spacebetween the stringers 34.

Meanwhile, end plates 37 may be built into the frame 14 and beam 16 inorder to anchor and space apart the stringers 34 with respect to eachother. Likewise, end plates 37 may be secured together with fasteners38. Thus, the frame 14 and beam 16 may actually be segmented in order tomanufacture in shorter lengths, yet assemble into comparatively longerlengths.

In order to support loads (forces), and stabilize motion of the frame 14and the wall 12, supports 40 or stabilizers 40 may extend from the frame14 downward. These may be styled as extendable tubes 40, hydrauliccylinders 40, outriggers 40, or the like. Stabilizing tall cranes andman lifts is a requirement for safe operation thereof. Any of the artstabilizing such structures may be relied upon to support the frame 14,beam 16, or both. These stabilizers 40 may form a “three-point base”effectively by providing two supports 40 and a base 42 all secured toand extending above a supporting surface 44.

In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 14 is supported on some base 42that may rest on a supporting surface. Typically, a supporting surfacemay be a concrete floor 44 supported by footings, a foundation, or thelike. In order to support the frame 14 and beam 16 in their cantileveredarrangement illustrated, the supporting surface 44 is typicallysupported by engineered footings, and suitable fasteners 38 extendingfrom such footings (not shown) connected to the base 42.

Referring to FIGS. 12 through 14, while continuing to refer generally toFIGS. 1 through 57, one embodiment of the system 10 in accordance withthe invention may include a trailer 50 supporting a frame 14 and beam16. A system of hinges 52 may connect or assemble the frame 14, or eventhe beam 16. Some type of fasteners 38 will necessarily connect the beam16 to the frame 14. However, if the beam 16 is not cantilevered from theframe 14, then other support mechanisms for the positioner 18 supportingthe swing 20 may be relied upon as discussed hereinbelow.

In the illustrated embodiment, the supports 40 or stabilizers 40 includea ram 54 extending between a foot 55 on the supporting surface 44, and ahydraulic cylinder 56. The positions of the cylinder 56 and the ram 54may be reversed. Meanwhile, a clevis 57 or other pivoting connector 57may secure the ram 54 to the foot 55, and the cylinder 56 to the frame14. In certain embodiments, these connections may be reversed with nodegradation of service.

The trailer 50 may include a frame 58 and be secured to the base 42 ofthe frame 14 by fasteners 60. One convenient means to place the bottomend 15 a on the ground is to connect the frame 14 to the trailer frame58 by a pivot at the back end of the trailer 50.

The hydraulic cylinder 56 with its associated ram 54 is a wellunderstood mechanism and may operate as an actuator 62 to stabilize andlevel the frame 14, the trailer 50, or both. Likewise, the hydrauliccylinder 56 and its associated ram 54 may operate as a stabilizer 40reducing a tendency by the frame 14 to oscillate or move in response toweight, wind, or other loading (forces).

In one presently contemplated embodiment, the frame 14 and beam 16 maybe divided into segments 64 a, 64 b, and segment 64 c, respectively. Inthe illustrated embodiment, all the segments 64 a, 64 b, 64 c areextended to their maximum dimensions by pivoting about their hinges 52,and receiving fasteners 38 securing and plates 37 between the segments64 a, 64 b, 64 c.

Referring to FIG. 12, the system 10 is illustrated in a deployedconfiguration. The stabilizers 40 are extended or deployed. The frame 14and beam 16 are fully assembled as deployed.

Referring to FIG. 13, the second segment 64 a may be folded about ahinge 52 between itself and the first segment 64 b in order to shortenthe length of the frame 14 for transport. Meanwhile, the third segment64 c may be folded to place the beam 16 at a lower level, greatlyreducing the overall profile of the system 10 on the trailer 50.

Referring to FIG. 14, the system 10 is completely folded up in a stowedposition, ready for travel. The trailer 50 may be connected to a towingvehicle, and the system 10 may be relocated for operation elsewhere.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, while continuing to refer generally toFIGS. 1 through 57, a preparation station 22 or preparation area 22 maybe spaced a safe distance away from a launch area 24 or launch deck 24.In the embodiment of FIG. 15, the launch deck 24 is above thepreparation station 22 or preparation area 22. However, in theembodiment of FIG. 16, the launch area 24 is at the same level as thepreparation area 22. In the former embodiment, steps 70 lead from thepreparation area 22 to the launch deck 24. Accordingly, the launch deck24 may be connected at about the height of the top surface of the bottomend 15 a of the frame 14.

Padding 72 may be provided as a foam pad 72, or as a rubberized orotherwise elastomerically treated material on a floor 74. In thisembodiment, a transition 75 may extend from the launch deck 24 to thewall 12 with its climbing holds 30.

A user 60 may prepare by harnessing up in a region 22 designated forpreparation. Harnessing may occur farther away during the time thatanother climber 60 or rider 60 is occupying the system 10. Ultimately, arider 60 or user 60 should arrive at a preparation station 22 forinspection, a safety check, and in order to hook (link) the harness 28to the line 27. When all has been deemed suitable and safe, the user 60may mount the stairs 70 or otherwise approach the launch deck 24. Whenall slack has been removed from the line 27, a climber 60 may beginclimbing the wall 20. Different mechanisms may be relied upon to take upslack in the line 27 connected to the harness 28 of a user 60. Thesewill be discussed hereinbelow.

Referring to FIG. 16, in certain embodiments, the floor 74 may containboth the preparation station 22 and launch deck 24 at a single level. Aspace 76 or buffer 76 may exist therebetween, and may be marked withstripes 77 or other warning pattern 77 or mechanisms 77 for warning. Inthis embodiment, the wall 12 may begin at a height somewhat above thefloor 74, owing to the structural size of the bottom end of the frame14. An interface 78 styled as a wall 78 or boulder 78 that covers theend of the bottom 15 a of the frame 14 may begin the climbing activityright at the level of the floor 74, in the launch area 24.

Thus, the embodiment of FIG. 15 has the advantage that it elevates auser 60 immediately to the level of the wall 12, or the edge of the wall12 as it begins at the bottom 15 a of the frame 14. A benefit of theconfiguration of FIG. 16 is that no obstructions (e.g., elevated deck24) need be present to interfere with walking, or swinging over thefloor 74. In fact, in some embodiments, the embodiment of FIG. 15 may bekept for the wall 12, and frame 14, both being mounted to begin flushwith the floor 74. Thus, the interface 78 would be unrequired, as wouldthe transition 75.

As a practical matter, some transition 75 may be required to cover aportion of the frame 14. It may simply be the transition 75 at the lowerend of the wall 12 from the launch deck 24 to step directly to the wall12. In such an embodiment, even the frame 14 would provide nointerference to freely swinging by a user 60. Neither would a transition75, an elevated interface 78 being completely unnecessary.

A fence 80 and gate 73 will probably be required for safety. The extentof the fence 80 will typically be determined by the effective height anddistance required to protect passersby or observers. The frame 14 andbeam 16 may be positioned sufficiently high that a rider 60 may swingout beyond the fence 80, and above the fence 80, but at a distance thatwould not endanger the rider 60 nor a passerby outside the fence 80. Infact, a preparation area 22 may actually be outside the fence 80.However, a better situation results if preparation occurs inside thefence 80, but away from the region through which a rider 60 may swingfrom the line 27.

Referring to FIGS. 17A, 17B, 18A, 18B, 19A, and 19A, alternativeembodiments for supporting the line the beam 16 may be configured tostand alone or as supports for the beam 16.

Referring to FIGS. 17A and 17B, for example, a crossbeam 90 may besupported on pillars 92. The pillars 92 will typically need to be spacedapart a sufficient distance to provide clearance for a climber 60 whoswings free from the wall 12, from a center of suspension 100 or center100.

The beam 16 may or may not be installed. The cross beam 90 may carry therider 60. The beam 16 may help stabilize the top of the frame 14 byconnecting to the cross beam 90, but need not be present to do so in allembodiments. Other structures may support and stabilize the frame 14adequately from the ground itself, as in FIGS. 20-23.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 20-23, and FIGS. 28 and 29, theline 27 will extend to some radius 102, which may be measured to theharness 28 of the rider 60, or all the way to the wall 12. In eitherevent, a radius 102 from the center 100 of suspension to the wall 12must provide clearance for appendages of a rider 60. Inasmuch asfriction is greatly reduced with the mechanisms incorporated in thesystem 10, the prospect of a rider 60 being affirmatively prevented fromreturning completely to an original position of falling from the wall 12should be accommodated. This may be done in any of several manners to bediscussed hereinbelow.

The positioner 18 may be movable from a first, closer, position duringclimbing of the wall 12, to a latter and more distant position from theframe 14 and wall 12 following a pendulum fall by the climber 60. It maymove a few feet (meter) away along the beam 16 with the momentum of afall and lock there. Thus, a climber 60 cannot swing as far as the wallon returning.

Referring to FIGS. 18A and 18B, in an alternative embodiment, thecrossbeam 90 may be supported by a yoke 94. Again, the beam 16 may ormay not be included. It may help stabilize the top of the frame 14 byconnecting to the yoke 94, but need not be present to do so in allembodiments. Other structures may support and stabilize the frame 14adequately from the ground or other surface below the frame 14.

One advantage to a yoke 94 is that stability may be improved byextending from the launch deck 24 up to the crossbeam 90 in a singlestructure, rather than having a sharp corner angle, that tends to beless stable, as illustrated between the crossbeam 90 and the pillars 92of FIG. 17. Moreover, the shape of the yoke 94 is effectively that ofthe swing arc of a climber 60 (rider 60). Thus, clearance may be equalin all directions. Clearance between the center of pivot 100 and theyoke 94 may be greater than the clearance to the wall 12 and itsunderlying frame 14. This would provide for movement of the center 100.

Nevertheless, certain mechanisms for guiding the line 27 from the pivotpoint 100 may reduce or even eliminate swinging in the lateral(side-to-side) direction 11 c. Restricting movement to be within a planedefined by the vertical direction 11 a and the horizontal (transverse;in-and-out) direction 11 b may effectively eliminate a need for a fullradius 102 value of clearance for the pillars 92, in eitherconfiguration, of FIGS. 17A and 17B or FIGS. 18A and 18B.

Referring to FIGS. 19A and 19B, this clearance question comes into focuswith an arch 96 of FIG. 19. In this embodiment, the arch 96 may need torely on guidance of the line 27 from the pivot point 100 on thepositioner 18. Otherwise, with a certain amount of lateral 11 c movementof a climber 60 with respect to the pivot point 100, a user 60 couldswing in a lateral direction 11 c, and strike an arch 96. Otherwise theradius 102 may require a much wider arch 96 than would be required ofthe yoke 94.

The beam 16 may or may not be present. It may help stabilize the top ofthe frame 14 by connecting to the arch 96, but need not be present to doso in all embodiments. Other structures may support and stabilize theframe 14 adequately. On the other hand, an arch 96 is fundamentallyquite stable, having a continuous radius and no corner, as well as amuch greater bearing length (distance between the two, anchored, bottomends) at the base of the arch 96. In contrast, the yoke 94 necessarilyhas a much shorter baseline or bearing length along its entire lengthbetween anchoring points to the ground 44 or other supporting surface44.

Referring to FIGS. 20 through 23, alternative embodiments may includevarious other geometries for the frame 14, and consequently the wall 12.For example, FIG. 20 represents a front elevation view of the frame 14,supporting its cantilevered beam 16 and positioner 18. Here, the center100 of pivot may be in line with a center line passing verticallythrough the frame 14. The positioner 18 may actually position directlyabove a launch deck 24 or a launching location 24. Meanwhile, dependingon the shape of the frame 14 supporting a wall 12, the radius 102 of theline 27 in a pendulum fall may change, and therefore, require taking upduring climbing to maintain its shortest distance between the climber 60and the center of pivot 100.

One will also note that additional supports 40 may be installedaccording to good engineering practice. Sufficient bearing lengths arerequired, distances between pairs of ground supports on opposing sides(straddling a centerline) of the frame 14, if supports 40 are dug intoor resting on the ground. Permanent anchoring may alter thoserequirements to support lateral or transverse loading from any source.

Referring to FIG. 21, in one embodiment, the side elevation view of aframe 14 may be circular. However, this tends to waste much of the lowerhalf of the frame 14 in a shallow portion (nearly horizontal) of thewall 12. Reaching a vertical climb quickly upon leaving the launch deck24 is usually preferred. Thus, this configuration is useful, has certainregular geometry about it for structural integrity, and so forth.Nevertheless, the overhang distance 108 needs to be approximately thevertical height 104 so the radius 102 is about the same from the wall 12on the frame 14 whether a user 60 is standing on the launch deck 24, oris at the top, extreme end 15 b of the wall 12 on the frame 14. If theradii 102 are not the same at both locations, with respect to the centerof pivot 100, then the overhang distance 108 needs to be shorter thanthe height 104. The objective is precluding any striking of a solidobject, such as the wall 12, the floor 74, launch deck 24, or the like.

Nevertheless, certain mechanisms for a positioner 18 may permit a changein the radius 102 by retracting the line 27 or a repositioning of thepositioner 18. These may increase the radius 102 of the pivot center 100away from the wall 12 and the frame 14 almost as soon as a climber 60disengages from the wall 12.

Referring to FIG. 22, one such instance may be that of a parabolic frame14, supporting a wall 12. In this embodiment, the distance from thepivot center 100 to the floor 74 or launch deck 24, as the case may be,may typically be much greater than the radius 102 from the frame 14 andwall 12 to the center of pivot 100 when the climber 60 is near the beam16. In such an event, a system 10 should take up slack. Otherwise, thebelay function of the line 27 is not met. Tension is an option, butshould typically be minimal (nominal 3-10 pounds, usually 5 or less),thus effectively eliminating slack in the line 27. However, if the“focal point” of the parabolic shape of the frame 14 is below the centerof pivot 100 (which is usually the case), then some mechanism for takingup slack or changing the center of pivot 100, must be employed. Thiswill assure a clear, free, pendulum fall of a climber 60, when thatclimber 60 transitions to a rider 60 of the swing 20.

Referring to FIG. 23, the frame 14 may be structured as an ellipticalshape, providing rapid transition from a floor 74 or launch deck 24 intoa vertical 11 a portion of the frame 14 and its supported wall 12. Thisembodiment even provides for an overhang or “inverted” climbingexperience for highly experienced climbers 60. However, this also pointsup a need for some mechanism to continually and permanently take upslack somewhat like an auto belay, without the negative influences ofconventional auto belay systems.

For example, conventional auto belay systems are designed for a personclimbing an effectively vertical wall. Such systems are completelyinadequate for pendulum falls, and do not protect them. Moreover,conventional auto belays automatically take up slack, providing a slightamount of tension on the line 27, but immediately begin descending whenloaded (a fall). They provide a damped descent of a climber as soon asthe weight of the climber 60 is significantly supported by the line 27.This immediate descent would be totally inappropriate, inadequate, anddangerous for a swinging condition on a system 10 in accordance with theinvention.

In more complex shapes, such as those of FIGS. 22 and 23, as opposed tothe circular architecture of FIG. 21, some take-up mechanism 18(retractor 18, positioner 18) for the line 27 or movement of the entirepositioner 18 needs to provide for safety, such as clearances during aswinging event. A suitable length of extended line 27 must beaccommodated with any pendulum fall from the wall 12 by a user 60.

Referring to FIGS. 24A, 24B, and 24C as wells as FIGS. 25A through 27,while continuing to refer generally to FIGS. 1 through 57, differentmechanism may be employed to provide a change of the location of thepositioner 18 with respect to the wall 12. In some devices, one needonly alter the radius 102 in order to protect a rider 60. In otherembodiments, the actual location of the positioner 18, or the center 100of suspension (center of pivot 100) that it supports may be required. Incertain embodiments, both may be combined.

Referring to FIGS. 24A, 24B, and 24C, a trolley 110 may operate as apositioner 18. The beam 16 may be or include a rail 112. It may beprovided with a specialized or customized rail 112, track 112, or ways112 to support a trolley 110. Wheels of the trolley 110 may keep thetrolley 110 moving with comparatively little (negligible) friction asthe wheels roll along the rail 112 carrying the trolley 110. The trolley110 may support a hanger 116 provided with a fastening means such as alink or an aperture 118.

The aperture 118 may support an axle 144 (see FIG. 25) through a pulley146. That pulley 146 may operate as an anchor 146 (the entire positioner18 may also be considered an “anchor” 18 or “belay anchor” 18) for aline 27. In some embodiments, the pulley 146 may operate to carry amoving line 27 over the pulley 146 as the pulley 146 itself rotatesabout a center 100 of pivot.

In the illustrated embodiment, the aperture 118 may be in a clevis 116to receive an axle 144 (see FIG. 25) supporting a pulley 146.Nevertheless, the aperture 118 may simply receive directly a link 200,such as a carabiner 200 for supporting a line 27 fixed thereto. Thus, incertain embodiments, the movement of the trolley 110 may completelyeliminate a need for the line 27 to be shortened or the radius 102 ofthe line 27 to be shortened between the center 100 of pivot and the wall12.

For example, in the illustrated embodiment, in the configuration of FIG.24A, a stop 122 fixed with respect to the rail 112 may prevent thetrolley 110 from approaching any closer toward the wall 12 along thebeam 16. In response to a controller moving the trolley 110, or a rider60 swinging away from the wall 16, and past the stop 122, a trolley 110may travel away from the wall 12. The trolley 110 moves along the rail112 from the position of FIG. 24A, through a specified distance awayfrom the frame 14 and wall 12 to pass over the latch 120 as in FIG. 24B.The system 10 may include this latch 120 operating as a ratchet 120extending from the rail 112. The trolley 110 in passing over the latch120 may depress it against gravity or a spring loaded mechanism to passby it.

Nevertheless, once a climber 60 or rider 60 swings free from the wall 12on the line 27, the trolley 110 is free to move away from the stop 122,under the influence of momentum of the climber 60 swinging transversely11 b away from the wall 12. Once the rider 60 has passed under thecenter 100 of pivot, the mass of the rider 60 and momentum thereof willurge the trolley 110 to move outward 11 b. It rolls away from the wall12, along the rail 112, and toward the rear stop 124 as in FIG. 24C. Therear stop 124 may block the trolley 110 from traveling further along therail 112. Meanwhile, the latch 120 is now freed from the depressionunder the influence of the trolley 110. It has extended back out to itsoriginal equilibrium position, extending away from the rail 112. There,it prevents the trolley 110 from backtracking toward the wall 12.

In this way, the radius 102 of a line 27 need not change. In fact, theradius 102 may be constant, and fixed between the center of suspension100 or center of pivot 100, and the harness 28 of a climber 60. So longas a mechanism exists, as described hereinbelow, for taking up slack, arider 60 may swing safely. Particularly if no difference exists betweenheight of a launch deck 24, the preparation area 22, and the floor 74.

Referring to FIGS. 25A, 25B, and 25C, a mechanism for moving the center100 of pivot, may be created by using a ball screw system 130 as apositioner 18. A sufficiently strong and stably supported screw 132 maysuffice as in FIG. 25A. Otherwise, as illustrated in FIG. 25B, a ballscrew system 130 may include a nut moving 134 on a rail 112 being drivenby the ball nut 134 traveling along the ball screw 132.

For these embodiments, ball screw systems 130 are ubiquitous and wellunderstood by designers of mechanisms. Ball screw systems 130 exist inthe prior art, and effectively include a screw 132 that has a specialthreading. That special threading engages a nut 134, having ballbearings to act as its own threads. Those ball bearings operate in arace inside the nut 134, as understood in the art, in order that the nuttravel along (with respect to) the screw 132 with minimal friction.Thus, the nut 134 presents negligible friction as it travels along thescrew 132, compared to worm gears, conventional threads, and otherthreaded systems.

The motor 136 may be geared in a transmission 138 in order tospecifically control the rotational speed of the screw 132 in moving anut 134 therealong by a controller 140 programmatically controlling themotor 136 may be programmed to provide the rotation of the motor 136 tobe geared down (typically) by the transmission 138 or gearbox 138, inorder to rotate the screw 132. That rotational speed of the screw 132,thus controls how far and how fast the nut 134 will travel along thescrew 132. A reversible motor 136 makes a linear actuator out of the nut134, based a reversible rotation of the ball screw 132 by the motor 136and transmission 138.

In the illustrated embodiments, the hanger 142 or clevis 142 captures apulley 146 therein, rolling or fixed by a knot 148 or clamp. The“figure-8 knot” is a well-known and understood knot 148 used in climbingropes and rescue. The line 27 may be a rope, such as a conventionalKernmantle rope used in climbing, both on rock and on artificial rockwalls.

In certain embodiments, a knot 148 may be replaced with clamps, such aswhen the line 27 is a wire rope 27 or cable 27 of metal. Wire rope maybe stronger and stiffer, certainly for comparatively equal sizes, andthus may often require less diameter and space. However, it tends to beless flexible and less elastically extensible.

Extensibility is problematic in that a length of rope tends to have anelastomeric response intended to gradually take up the momentum andenergy of a falling body. Thus, as a swing 20, it may not be preferred.Rather, the line 27 may be formed of a rescue grade rope, which hascomparatively negligible extension, or a wire rope that has even less(more negligible) extension under weight. The line 27 may be wire ropeeverywhere, or may connect to conventional climbing rope 27 nearer therider 60 or climber 60 in the harness 28.

The ball nut 134 may proceed along a dedicated track, such as a track112 or rail 112 of the system of FIG. 24A-24C. The rail 112 may providethe mechanical support and movement for the clevis 142 operating as ahanger 116 to support a pulley 146 on an axle 144.

Knots 148 or their equivalent for wire rope, clamps, tend to reduce theworking strength of an individual line 27. Accordingly, the line 27 maybe wrapped multiple times around a pulley 146 and anchored to the ballnut 134, or the clevis 142 rather than to itself. In this way, a certainamount of the stress otherwise experienced due to the bending andcompressing of the line 27 against itself in knots 148 or clamps 148, orthe like may be reduced if not eliminated.

Referring to FIG. 25C, multiple pulleys 146 may be spaced apart bywidening the nut 134 will additional structure. Two pulleys 146 mayoperate as pivots 146, either with fixed lines 27 or moving lines 27 (asdiscussed at length hereinabove) passing around them. This configurationtends to keep any swinging motion within a single plane equidistant fromthe two points of suspension (centers 100 of pivoting) of the pulleys146.

A swivel may operate essentially like a swivel of fish tackle permittingthe harness 28 of a rider 60 and climber 60 to pivot with respect to thetwo lines 27 of FIG. 25C or any single line 27 as discussed herein. Thispermits an extra degree of freedom of motion during climbing, butespecially during the swinging portion of this climbing and swingingevent. With a single line, the swiveling motion may be less important,and provide a less pronounced difference from suspension by a singleline 27.

For example, some wire rope 27 will tolerate or cause substantial twist(unwinding motion) when placed in tension. With the double lines of FIG.25C, the swivel 216 may prove more important or desirable, since thedouble lines 27 will otherwise restrain rotation.

Referring to FIGS. 26A and 26B, while continuing to refer generally toFIGS. 1 through 57, one alternative embodiment of a positioner 18 maysimply be a take-up system 18 that relies on a hoist 150 operating as ablock and tackle 150. In such a device, a hydraulic cylinder 152 mayhave a ram 154 extending therefrom under hydraulic pressure betweenblocks 156 on each. That is, the hydraulic cylinder 152 has a block 156attached to it or near it as it anchors to a physical structure such asa beam 16.

This is basically a block and tackle operated in reverse (multiplyingdistance instead of multiplying force), driven by a hydraulic ram 154extending from a hydraulic cylinder 152. The ram 154 may have anotherblock 156 of pulleys 157 connected to it. Typically, a single axleeffectively combines all pulleys 157 in a block 156. Upon retraction ofa ram 154, the two blocks 156 separate from each other. Upon extensionof the ram 154, the blocks 156 may move closer together. Otherarrangements may also work equally well. Regardless, one block 156 istypically fixed with respect to the cylinder 152, and one is typicallyfixed with respect to the end of the ram 154, regardless of the overallconnection scheme.

Meanwhile, the line 27 is wrapped around adjacent pulleys 157, firstaround a pulley of one end (block 156), and then around a pulley 157 atthe opposite end (block 156). In this way, as a block and tackle 150would work, the hoist 150 provides many times the take-up length of aline 27 to be taken up between the blocks 156, for a given extension orcontraction of the ram 154 with respect to the cylinder 152.

Meanwhile, one end, the fixed end, of the line 27 is fixed with respectto the hydraulic cylinder 152 and the beam 16. The other end, the freeend, of the line 27 is the hoist line 158 in between the blocks 156, orbetween the pulleys 157 of the blocks 156. Ultimately, the line 27 maybe the exact same line as the line 27, 158. In other embodiments, theline 27 that actually connects to a user 60 may be linked in some otherfashion to the line 158 operating on the blocks 156.

In the illustrated embodiment, various sensors 160 may be used. Forexample, a position sensor 160 a may be used to detect a position of oneof the blocks 156, the ram 154, or the like. The point of such aposition sensor 160 a is to detect exactly how much distance to the line27 has extended or retracted with respect with a radius 102 of the line27 with respect to the center 100 of pivoting.

Ultimately, the line 158, or the line 27, or both, if a single line 27operates, such as a wire rope 27 (a climbing rope 27 not being welladapted to operating on automatic hydraulic equipment), may be run overa pulley 162 establishing the center 100 of pivoting. An additionalsensor, or another sensor instead of the sensor 160 a may be a loadsensor 160 b. The load sensor 160 b may be set at any point along theline 158, or the line 27 in order to detect how much force is in theline 27. The point of this tension or loading is a vector determinationof the condition of the line 27 with respect to a climber 60.

It may be suitable to maintain a certain amount of tension in the line27, typically less than about five pounds, urging a taking up of anyslack in the line 27 between the point 100 or center 100 of pivoting,and the harness 28 of a user 60. Sensing greater tension in the line 27,may indicate that a user 60 is tugging against the line 27, and thehydraulic cylinder 152 should not move the ram 154, and release moreline. Thus, a combination of knowing the position detected by theposition sensor 160 a, and the tension in the line 27 detected by a loadsensor 160 b may be used in combination to assess the condition of theline 27 and the user 60 on the wall 12.

For example, in one embodiment, distance may be the only parameter thatmatters. Timing may be used to control distance. On the other hand, inan embodiment such as the elliptical frame 14 of FIG. 23, both positionand tension may be important parameters to detect in order to controlwhen, with what force, and how far, the line 27 is retracted by thehydraulic ram 154 operating the blocks 156.

Referring to FIG. 26B, a vertical arrangement of the hydraulic cylinder152 may be positioned away from the beam 16, with only the line 27passing therealong. Also, guiding the line 27 may be done by one ofvarious concepts for shields 166 and pulleys 164 a, 164 b, 164 c, 164 d.The pulley 164 a may be quite conventional. Such may be entirelyadequate. If a clevis 142 contains a pulley 146, 162, or axle 144, thenescape of a line 27 from the pulley 164 a is unlikely. However, with thelateral 11 c motion imparted by a rider 60 swinging from a wall 12toward the center 100 of pivoting, a lateral 11 c component of motionmay effectively swing a rider 60 sideways 11 c and toward obstructions.In order to enforce a back-and-forth (transverse 11 b) motion in atransverse direction 11 b, between the wall 12 and the pivot center 100,a deeper, grooved pulley 164 b or a guide 166 may be used.

For example, since the loading and material may be distinct, the pulleys164 c and 164 d may alter both the diameter of the interior pulley 164c, 164 d, as well as adding a guide 166 made of a different material.Typically, a metal pulley 164 c, 164 d will be stronger than a plasticone. However, polymeric shields 166 may be added beside the pulleys 164c, 164 d to provide both increased effective diameter of the pulleys 164d, reduced friction on the line 27, as well as extending their flangesby adding shields 166. The shields 166 also assure that the lines arealways well captured on the pulleys 164 c, 164 d. The shields 166 may ormay not rotate with the pulley 164 c, 164 d. In some embodiments, theshields 166 may extend in a fixed relationship with respect to an axle144, the beam 16, the positioner 18, a rail 112, or the like.

Referring to FIG. 27, a basic winch 170 may be used as a positioner 18.In the illustrated embodiment, a winch 170 may be mounted with a frame172 securing a reel 174. The reel will rotate in response to powerthrough a transmission 176 moderating the speed and torque provided by amotor 178 as a motive means 178. The motor 178 may be controlled by acontroller 180 responsive to switches, programs, and the like input byan operator of the system 10. Winches 170 tend to operate more slowlythan a hoist 150. Thus, some combination of power, speed, overalldistance, and the like may recommend or inform a decision as to whattype of a positioner 18 will be used.

The positioner 18 may move the pivot center 100 or center 100 ofsuspension supporting a line 27. By the same token, a different effectmay be obtained by moving the axle 144 on which any pulley 146, 162 mayoperate.

Referring to FIGS. 28 and 29, while continuing to refer generally toFIGS. 1 through 57, a pulley 162 may be thought of as a top pulley 162,operating on an axle 144 defining the center 100 of pivot supporting aline 27. Ultimately, the line 27 may secure by a suitable means, such asa knot 204, or the like securing the line 27 to a ring 202 or a link202.

The point here is to secure to a harness 28, which may include aconnecting loop 192 for securing to the line 27. Typically, the loop 192will be near a crossing point of shoulder straps 194 on the body harness28. Such a harness 28 will have leg loops 196 and shoulder straps 194.The shoulder straps 194 typically connect to one another and to a belt206 by reinforced connections 198, a patch 198 sewn together to thecrossed shoulder straps 194.

Ultimately, a link 200 may link the harness loop 192 to a permanent link202 secured to the line 27. A conventional climbing harness willtypically connect a belt 206 or a loop formed by the leg straps 196 (legloops 196) and the belt. That is, leg loops 196 are often straps thatinclude buckles for adjustment. They may terminate in ends that areconnected completely together, and pass by the belt 206, in an upwardand downward fashion to create a remaining connection loop for acarabiner to secure the harness 28 to a line 27.

A difficulty with connecting to such a seat-type harness 28 is that theuser 60 is suspended by a waist belt 206 and leg loops 196 in a pendulumfall in a system 10 in accordance with the invention. Usually, inclimbing, a climber 60 takes a straight fall from a quasi-upright, oreven standing, position. The fall may be easily handled by an extensible(lead climbing) rope 27 operating on a waist belt 206, or someattachment thereto through to the leg loops 196.

A pendulum fall is very different, and may be dangerous with such anattachment or harness to the center of mass of the body. A user 60 maybe better suspended from higher (front or back of the chest) by aharness loop 192 where the shoulder straps 194 cross each other, in areinforced connection 198. Thus, the user 60 will maintain orientationwith respect to the line 27, as soon as a user 60 falls from the wall12.

Referring to FIG. 28 specifically, one alternative embodiment of aconnection to a line 27 may be an auto lock 210 or an automatic takeup210, such as a Grigri™, other ascender, or similar locking device 210. Aline 27, 208 may link to such at an auto lock 210 in which the line 27passes through the auto lock 210, terminating in an outbound line 208.By tugging on the outbound line 208, an operator may take up all theslack in the incoming line 27 through the auto lock 210. Thus, the autolock 210 operates to lock the loop 192 by the link 214 and link 200 tothe line 27. This captures the harness loop 192, removing all slackbetween the harness loop 192 (and therefore the harness) and the line27.

Upon completion of the climb and swing, a user 60 may be released by anoperator who simply operates a handle 212 to slowly release underfriction the outbound line 208, back out the way it came in as anincoming line 27. Various types of auto locks 210, ascenders, and thelike are available in the art. For example, the references cited aboveas incorporated herein by reference contain details of structure andoperation of various embodiments of lock off devices, ascenders,self-belay devices, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 29, specifically, the swivel 216 illustrated may beused in any attachment configuration to provide relative rotationbetween a user 60 in harness 28 and the connecting line 27. Swivels arecommon in fishing tackle to prevent spinning tackle from twistingfishing line. They are less common in industrial applications. Balljoints are used in various equipment applications, including hitches,tie rods, and so forth.

In the illustrated embodiment, a swivel 216 includes an upper ring 202on a shaft 217 captured by a head (hidden, not shown) inside a centerknuckle 218 (keeper 218) or connector 218 (keeper 218). Likewise, alower loop 215 connects by a lower shaft 217 similarly captured by ahead inside the knuckle 218 (keeper). Each loop 202, 215 may actually beintegral with its respective shaft 217. Thus each loop 202, 215 and itsrespective shaft 217 is free to rotate completely, either clockwise orcounterclockwise, with respect to the knuckle 218 (keeper 218). Thisreduces constraints on a climber 60, and may contribute to a moreexciting swinging experience by adding a spinning degree of freedom inthe motion of a user 60 swinging on the line 27 or multiple lines 27.

Referring to FIGS. 30, 31, and 32 an alternative to the frame 14 may beconstructed using poles or posts 219 protruding from the ground. Bychanging the lengths (FIG. 30 perspective view and FIG. 32 sideelevation view), a rise in altitude 11 a and curvature with transversedirection 11 b is provided. By arranging posts 219 along an arcuate path(FIG. 31) the progression in a lateral 11 c direction is provided. Thus,a wall 12 may be secured to such a frame 14.

The cross beam 90 from a pole or tree as a source is quitestraightforward, while pillars 92 are anchored similarly to the posts219. Stability in all dimensions results from suitable groundpenetration by all posts 219 and pillars. No overhead beam 16 is needed.Connection of the line 27 or a locator 18 and line 27 depends only onthe cross beam 92, or the pillars 92 and crossbeam 20.

Referring to FIG. 33, a process 220 for operating a system 10 inaccordance with the invention may begin with admitting 222 a climber 60or user 60 within a fenced, enclosed, or otherwise restricted areaconsidered an outer zone with respect to a safe zone. In this safe zone,a climber 60 has been admitted 222, but is only able to access thepreparation area 22 or preparation station 22, and not the actual launchdeck 24 or active area 24. In this safe area, harnessing 224 the climber60 does not require any connection to the overhead line 27. Rather, auser 60 or several may dress in a harness 28 suitable for connecting tothe line 27.

At the point of a preparation area 22, an attendant is best off bydealing with a single climber 60. The attendant will typically checkcarefully to be sure that the climber 60 is wearing a harness 28appropriately, that all straps, links, connectors, and the like are in acondition suitable for protecting the user 60.

The process 220 may next involve moving 226 the climber 60 to an activelaunch zone 24 or an active zone 24. This region 24 may also be referredto as a launch deck 24. It is an area 22 unsafe for anyone to be induring an actual climb by a user 60. This is an area 22 that a user 60relies on to clip in 228 the harness 28 to the line 27. Later on, thisis an area that may be swept by a swinging climber 60 followingcompletion of a climb or a failure of a climb up the wall 12 (e.g.,fall, stall, pull-off).

In the illustrated embodiment, the positioning 230 of a positioner 18may require retracting 230 a trolley 110 as a positioner 18. In fact, apositioner 18 may be thought of as a retractor 18 responsible to move acenter of pivot 100 or center 100 of suspension. One function ofpositioning 18 the positioner 18 is to locate the positioner 230 in aproper relationship with respect to the climber 60 or user 60 in orderto be able to secure the line 27 to the harness 28, and take up 232 anyslack in the line 27 after clipping in 228.

As a practical matter, positioning 230 the positioner 18 may be also, orinstead, the taking up 232 of slack in the line 27. However, in certainembodiments, as discussed hereinabove, the last measure of slack mayactually be taken up 232 by an attendant drawing on a free end of a line27 passing through a system at the positioner 18 or a take-up device 210on a climber's 60 harness 28, which may also be thought of as an autolock mechanism 210.

Sensing 234 may involve one or several sensors. One function of sensing234 is to determine by suitable means, with a manual, electrical,mechanical, or computer controlled mechanism the proper positioning,loading, or the like of components in the system 10. For example,tension in the line 27 may be maintained above a nominally small or zerovalue. As a matter of safety, tension may be sensed 234 (typically byvector resolution) in the line 27. It may be maintained by thepositioner 18 or other mechanism at some non-zero value. Such anincreased value of tension may be five or ten pounds, and possibly more.This is significant force in the line 27, drawing a user 60 away from awall 12, and requiring personal effort to overcome that force. Thus aload of 3 to 5 pounds is usually sufficient.

However, the presence of tension in the line 27 may also operate torapidly control, additional retracting 230 or positioning 230 of thepositioner 18 in order to take up 232 additional slack upon falling orthe like. In fact, during climbing, it may be necessary to program acontroller to take up slack, or possibly even let out a certain amountof slack, depending upon the sensors 160 in response to shape, length,clearance, other size or space factors, and the like corresponding tothe wall 12.

Other sensing 234 may be sensing of position of the positioner 230, theuser 60, the line 27, protective gates in the fence 80, or the like.Upon sensing 234, the process next tests 236 whether all sensors arereflecting a proper condition of the system 10 for operation with a newclimber 60. If not, then an emergency check 238 is in order. If not, anemergency check 238 intervenes.

Meanwhile, if the test 236 determines that yes, the system 10 is incondition for regular operation. An interlock may be opened 240 in orderto maintain proper length or take up of the line 27, tension in the line27, or any other sensible measurement that may be sensed 234 by suitablesensors 160 and communication. Once all interlocks are open 240, thecustomer or climber 60 is free to climb 242 the wall 12, belayed by theline 27 connected to the harness 28. As described hereinabove, it iscontemplated that a full body harness 28 is preferable in order tocontrol orientation of the climber 60 with respect to the line 27, whenthe line 27 is loaded with the weight of the falling climber 60 in theharness 28.

Monitoring 244 by sensors 160 will occur on various sensors 160 (where asensor 160 represents any one of specific sensors 160 a, 160 b, or thelike) in the system 10. Distances, forces, tension, stress, positions,or other measureable parameters may be sensed 234 and monitored 244.Eventually, the system 10 may test for a certain condition based on themonitoring 244.

For example, one test 246 may test for a predetermined time allocatedfor a user 60 to climb the wall 12. A clock may determine whether aclimber 60 has stalled out, failing to advance or retreat, but has notfallen. Based on the test 246 of timing out, the positioner 18 orretractor 18 may activate. However, so long as the test 246 results indetecting that the predetermined time has not yet occurred, a test 248may determine whether the user 60 has topped out. If the user 60 hasachieved the maximum distance possible to climb on the wall 12, abuzzer, bell, button, or the like may be available for touching by theuser 60. Touching an indicator or sensor 234 indicates that the climber60 has topped out.

This signal may result in converting to the process of swinging the user60 on the line 27 away from the wall 12. However, if the test 248determines that a user 60 has not topped out, then a test 250 maydetermine whether the user 60 has fallen. If a user 60 has not fallen,then the monitoring 244 continues with the tests 246, 248, 250, orothers that may be determined useful.

If any of the tests 246, 248, 250 results in a positive output, aclimber 60 has timed out, topped out, or fallen. The positioner 18 orother retractor 18 will typically retract 252, at a suitable speed,based on the monitoring 244, and the test 246, 248, 250 that indicatesthe user's 60 status. Retracting 252 assures that the user 60 andharness 28 will be pulled away from the wall 12, a suitable distance toprevent impact of the user 60 or any appendage of the user 60.

Given the fact that extremities may extend some number of feet away fromthe center of mass of a body, a distance of three to four feet may be asuitable distance for retracting 252 the positioner 18. Retracting 252may involve moving the positioner 18, or may involve reeling in a lengthof the line 27. Either will take up or shorten a radius 102 of the line27 extending from the center 100 of suspension to the harness 28.

Following a retraction 252 to shorten 252 the radius 102, a user 60 willswing 254 downward away from the wall 12, into space. In the variousembodiments, the user 60 may automatically swing away from the wall 12,in a vertical direction 11 a, a transverse direction 11 b, and possiblya lateral direction 11 c, due to the relative position of the center 100of suspension and the shape of the wall 12. Eventually, the swingingactivity will decay 256, and may decay 256 in response to damping.

Eventually, the positioner 18 will be activated to cause the harness 28and line 27 to descend 258 to a position locating a user 60 on thelaunch deck 24, or in an area within the immediately available spacetherearound. A user 60 may then be released 260, typically by releasing260 the harness 28 from the line 27. This may involve unclipping theharness 28 from the line 27, exiting by the user 60 from the launch area24, and unharnessing in the preparation space 22, or outside thepreparation space 22.

A test 262 may then determine whether the processes are done, and if so,may end 264 operation of the system 10. However, if operation 220 of thesystem 10 is not finished, the process 220 returns to moving 226 thenext climber 60 to the active target zone or the active zone 24 foroperating as a launch deck 24. At that point, again, the line 27 will beconnected to the active climber's 60 harness 28, and so forth.

The emergency check 238 may involve a stop 264. This may occur bywarning lights flashing, by the positioner 18 taking up line 27 ormoving its position in order to lift a user 60 away from the wall 12, orotherwise immobilizing a user 60 from beginning to climb 242. A return266 to the active zone 24 may follow the stop 264, and may involvereturning a user 60 bodily at the end of the line 27.

Alternatively, an attendant or operator of the system 10 may return auser 60 to the launch deck 24 or active zone 24. Inspecting 266 mayinvolve checking for any sensors 160 that may have triggered the stop264. Inspecting 266 the harness 28 and the line 27, as well as anyconnectors 200, 202 or similar links 200, 202 may then be appropriate. Atest 268 determines whether a climber 60 is now safe, and if not thenmakes safe 270 that user 60. Eventually, if the test 272 determines thatthe user 60 is safe, then the emergency check 238 returns back to theprocess 220 at the positioning 230.

On the other hand, if the test 272 results in no pass, then theemergency check 232 may be repeated. It will typically fail, resultingin return of the process 200 to the release 260 of the passenger forfurther remediation of the failed condition. The condition may be in theuser 60, the harness 28, the line 27, or any other component of thesystem 10.

Referring to FIGS. 34 through 38, which omit many details for clarity,several alternative mechanisms and systems 10 for implementing a swing20 are illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the frames 14supporting each of the climbing walls 12 in various, possible,alternative configurations are arranged to support a swing 20 on ahorizontal beam 16. Each of the beams 16 may extend effectively parallelto a wall 12 corresponding thereto. Accordingly, when a line 27 issecured to the overhead beam 16, a climber 60, upon falling from arespective wall 12 will swing in a plane perpendicular to thelongitudinal orientation of the corresponding beam 16.

In the illustrated embodiments of FIG. 34, a central tower 280 supportsat least one end of each of the beams 16. Accordingly, a climber 60 mayclimb either a curved wall supported by a curving frame 14, a pole arrayforming a frame 14, or a curved wall secured to or supported by a poleframe 14 as described hereinabove. Similarly, a more conventionalframing 14 may support a more conventional vertical wall 12.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 34 and 35, the swing path lies in a planeperpendicular to the longitudinal orientation of the correspondingoverhead beam 16 that will support the belaying line 27 extending downto a climber 60. Upon releasing one's grip on a wall 12 or otherwisefalling voluntarily or involuntarily from a wall 12, a user 60 will thusswing away from the corresponding wall 12, and in an arc perpendicularto the supporting overhead beam 16. Any of the system componentsdescribed hereinabove may be mounted to that beam 16 as appropriate.

Referring to FIGS. 36 through 38, an alternative embodiment of a centraltower 280, supporting various horizontal overhead beams 16 extendingaway therefrom places all of the walls 12 and their respective frames 14(some walls 12 removed for clarity of the frames 14) in close proximityabout the central support tower 280. In such an embodiment, eachrespective overhead beam 16 may be set at its own altitude along theheight of the tower 280 or vertical extent of the tower 280. Thus, asmaller or shorter climbing route may correspond to a shorter line 27and correspondingly lower overhead beam 16.

Again, a climbing route may be established on a more conventional wall12, supported by its own frame 14. Likewise, a climbing route may be ona wall supported on a set of poles anchored in the ground, or may bejust the poles themselves. A wall that is simply supported by a poletype of frame is discussed hereinabove.

Similarly, another frame 14 such as a system of trusses, lattices or thelike may also support a wall having an incline, a circular arc, anelliptical arc, or some other arcuate shape rising from a base surfaceto a height near that of a corresponding beam. Such a wall or otherclimbing structure may be served by an overhead beam to swing a user 60in an arc in a plane (path 291) parallel or perpendicular to acorresponding overhead beam 16.

One will note that in each of the embodiment of FIGS. 36 through 38, thecentral tower 280 benefits, or may be connected in order to stiffen andsupport the various frames 14 around the tower 280. This may also assistin improving the cantilever support for each of the overhead beams 16.In contrast, the embodiments of FIGS. 34-35 rely on frames 14 and walls12 remote and independent from the tower 280 are also possible.

One will also note that the swing direction 281 of each climber 60 uponrelease from a corresponding climbing wall 12 in FIGS. 36-38 will be ina plane effectively parallel to the supporting overhead beam 16 fromwhich the climber 60 is suspended. In FIGS. 34-35 the plane of such arcis perpendicular to the beam 16 from which it descends.

Referring to FIGS. 34 through 38, one will note that beams 16 extend inmultiple directions, either orthogonal or parallel to one another, andall orthogonal to the vertical, longitudinal direction of the tower 280.One may extend a beam 16 from any suitably secure and supportinglocation on a tower 280. The frames 14 of FIGS. 34-35, are spacedfarther from the tower 280. They may accommodate a greater number ofoverhead beams 16 having less than ninety degrees of angle therebetween.However, interference between swing paths 281 may militate for largerseparation distances.

In contrast, the embodiment of FIGS. 36 through 38 maintains allclimbing frames 14 and their corresponding walls 12 in close proximityto the tower 280. This provides additional stiffening and strengtheningof the tower 280 and may provide additional support for the overheadbeams 16. However, it may necessarily limit the horizontal width of, orthe number, of walls that can be positioned around the circumference ofthe tower 280. Meanwhile, no swing path 281 (arc) inherently presentsany interference with another.

On the other hand, if strictly vertical walls 12 were used, then ahexagonal central shape, octagonal central shape, or the like mightpresent multiple facets or faces or surfaces as climbing walls 12. Justas the separate frames 14 of vertical walls 12 in FIGS. 36 through 38are positioned at right angles to one another, greater than ninetydegrees may exist between the walls. This is speaking of their backsides. The angle is less than two hundred seventy degrees from theperspective of their front faces. Thus, a quadrilateral, a pentagon,hexagonal, septagonal, octagonal, or other polygonal orientation ofmultiple walls 12 beside one another may be implemented.

A tower 280 may support an octagonal arrangement of various walls inwhich a, climber 60 may swing parallel to a wall in the central area, ora wall positioned at an outer extremity of one of the beams 16. Asdiscussed hereinabove, a wall 12 may be positioned near a central tower280, thereby swinging a fallen climber 60 out away from the tower 280 orin a swing direction 281 away from the tower 280. Alternatively, forexample in a building, each of the overhead beams 16 may extend out to aclimbing wall 12 at or near its outer most extremity, or near itsoutermost extremity, thereby swinging a climber 60 parallel to thatbeam, and toward the tower 280 upon falling.

Such a system 10 may benefit from an auto takeup system, or auto-belaysystem. As a practical matter, an auto-belay would best serve only ifmodified to prevent immediate descent. That is, conventional auto-belaysystems begin immediately descending a climber 60 upon loading the line27 with the full weight of the climber 60. Auto belay systems rely on aslight take up force sufficient to draw in the line 27, but insufficientto support the weight of a climber 60. Safe swinging away from the wall12 on a line 27 supported by an overhead beam 16 would usually militatetoward maintaining the length of a line 27 at the length it has uponfalling, or shorter, in order to provide safety, especially with respectto striking a ground surface, supporting surface, floor, or the like.

One benefit of an embodiment in accordance with FIG. 39 is that theoverhead beams 16 may be trussed together across the top of the tower280 such that the full span from one beam 16 across the tower 280 to anexactly parallel and collinear opposite beam 16 could be supported bythe overhead truss thus balancing across the tower 280. In this way, thecantilevers that become or support the overhead beams 16 may besubstantially deeper, stiffer, stronger, more stable, and less flexibleif desired.

Referring to FIGS. 40 and 41, another alternative embodiment of a system10 in accordance with the invention relies on a central tower 280 thatsupports crane-like, overhead beams 16 positioned at various locationsthat circumferentially distributed about the central tower 280. In thisembodiment, the cantilevered beams 16 may be provided with counterweights 282 in order to stabilize them about the tower 280 and eliminatepart of the torque or the “couple” (a structural term of art meaning arotating force that might otherwise exist at the connection location ofeach beam 16 and the tower 280).

In this embodiment, again, the height and length of each overhead beam16 may be selected according to the height of a particular wallcorresponding thereto. The length maintained in each line 27 is thusunique to its overhead beam 16, the length of that beam 16, the heightof that beam 16, and the height of the corresponding wall.

Referring to FIG. 42, in one alternative embodiment of a system 10 inaccordance with the invention, a tower 280 may effectively serve as theframe 14 for a climbing wall 12 having various routes, or even variousfaces, but are serviced by multiple overhead beams 16. In such anembodiment an auto belay, or an auto take up 286 may mount within theframe 14 or behind it in order to provide automatic take up on each ofthe lines 27 supporting a climber 60. In the illustrated embodiment, thetower 280 is mounted to pivot upward from a trailer 50 as a carrier 50or supporting vehicle 50. Thus, the tower 280 may be pivoted down ontothe trailer 50 in a stowed position and may be pivoted upward into avertical, deployed position.

In the illustrated embodiment, multiple overhead beams 16 extend awayfrom the frame 14, supported thereby. From each of the overhead beams16, a line 27 extends, typically across a pulley 162 near the end ofeach beam 16 farthest away from the tower 280 and frame 14. In thismanner, a climber 60 may climb on a vertical wall 12 and upon releasinghold upon the wall, or otherwise falling, may swing away from the wall12, on the line 27 about the pulley 162. Meanwhile, an automatic take upoperating much like an auto belay, but not immediately descending theclimber 60, may accommodate the reduced distance from the pulley 162 tothe climber 60 as the climber 60 ascends the wall 12.

For example, one may think of an overhead beam 16 and a wall 12 asforming two legs of a triangle. The hypotenuse of that triangle isrepresented by the line 27 extending from a pulley 162 at a distal endof the overhead beam 16. The climber 60 on the wall 12 is attached tothe other end of that line 27 to form and define a hypotenuse. Thehypotenuse, and the vertical leg of the triangle both reduce as theclimber 60 ascends. In fact, the length of the line 27 extended from thepulley to the wall 12 may eventually approximate the length of distanceof the pulley 162 from the wall 12 directly horizontally.

Upon falling or jumping from the wall 12 the climber 60 will thus beswinging on the shortest length of line 27 ever remaining on the climb.Thus, there exists little or no chance of striking the supportingsurface or the ground therebelow.

Initially, it is possible that a climber 60 stumbling and falling rightat the ground level near the wall 12 would have more line 27 extendedthan the vertical distance from a climber 60 directly underneath thepulley 162. Thus, a climber 60 stumbling on a first step or hold mightconceivably have a standing fall to the ground. However, even thatshould be ameliorated by the climbing harness 28 anchored at a waistlocation or chest location to the line 27.

Referring to FIGS. 43 and 44, in certain embodiments, a tower 280 mayextend above a horizontal, overhead beam 16 to render the beams 16adjustable in height. This central tower 280 may support and transferbetween each of the horizontal beams 16 a certain portion of the lateralload. For example, if another beam 16 were attached to the tower 280 andextending opposite the illustrated beam 16, then the guy line 287extending from the tower 280 to the beam 16 supports both vertical loadand lateral load.

Accordingly, if an identical beam 16 were to extend away from the tower280 in direction collinear or parallel with that of the beam 16, thenanother guy line 287 to such a beam 16 would still add vertical load tothe tower 280 but would neutralize, by vector analysis, the horizontalloads between the two beams 16.

In certain embodiments, by proper mechanization of the structuralsupports for the beam 16 and guy line 287 along the tower 280, the beam16 may be shifted in altitude along the height of the tower 280, to anyaltitude desired. Thus, as illustrated, the pulley 162 may be shifted tomatch the length of line 27 descending to the height of the wall 12 andposition of that pulley 162 as described hereinabove.

In the illustrate embodiment, an auto takeup system 286 may provide forautomatic adjustment of the height of the line 27 or the harness 28 of aclimber 60 by taking up length of the line 27 as the climber 60 ascendsthe wall 12.

Referring to FIG. 44, a wall 12 along a frame 14 may be cantileveredfrom a tower 280. Nevertheless, in the presence of the framing 14 forsupporting a wall 12, additional support may be provided for thehorizontal beam 16. Meanwhile, the line 27 may extend out over pulleys162 supported by a trolley 110, which may actually move along the upperbeam 110 either to adjust to the advance of a climber 60 along the wall12, or to shorten the swing that may result at the end of a climb. Asdiscussed herein above, the concept of a pulley 162 may be used as aconvenience and a frictional amelioration for the moving line 27.

In this embodiment, the central tower 280 may again accommodate multiplewalls 12 with their respective frames 14 Likewise, the tower 280 mayserve to stabilize various different types of walls 12 and differenttypes of frames 14 as discussed hereinabove with respect to FIGS. 34through 38.

Referring to FIG. 45 a tower 280 and overhead beam 16 may be adapted forany climbing structure. Classical climbing structures include climbingwalls 12 supported by frames 14, as illustrated. Meanwhile, the path 291of a climber 60 may be from ground, up a series of steps 70 or someother incline 70 or riser 70, in order to initiate a climb on a wall 12.Any type of structure that is capable of being climbed may be used.

One caveat, however, may be that the climbing structures 12, 14 shouldnot be capable of interfering with the swing away from the climbingstructures 12, 14 occasioned by a fall. Moreover, in the illustratedembodiment, a belayer 293, a second person, may actually secure the line27. Typically, belay devices exist, they bear names such as a GRIGRI™,an ATC™ (air traffic controller), a GRILLON™, an SIR™ or the like. Infact, a setup relying strictly on carabiners is also possible. The pointis that a frictional control device may be worn on the harness of abelayer 293 who then takes personal responsibility for maintaining aslight tension, simply enough for take up, on the line 27 as a climber60 ascends the wall 12. Upon falling, the climber 60 is supported by theline 27 and the belayer 293 as in a conventional pendulum fall.

In certain embodiments, the cantilever configuration of an overhead beam16 may provide a certain resilience and spring by deflecting slightly.This deflection tends to relieve any jolt or jarring force from a fall.As a practical matter, by maintaining a line 27 with substantially noslack in it, most falls will immediately tension the line 27. This willswing a climber 60 in a graceful arc with no substantial impact loadingby the line 27 on the climber 60 through the climber's 60 harness.

Referring to FIGS. 46 through 50, while continuing to refer generally toFIGS. 1 through 57, a system 10 may be configured in certain embodimentsto operate with a harness 28 in which a user 60 connects directly to apair of belay lines 304 secured to a takeup system 290. In theillustrated embodiment, a takeup system 290 provides control of thelength or extension of belay lines 304 that will secure to a chest ring12 on a harness (body harness 28) on a user 60. In the illustratedembodiments, the belay lines 304 may eventually be connected together tobecome a single belay line 294, selectively paying out and taken up bythe belay takeup 290.

The takeup system 292 operates to position the trolley 110 along therail 112 supported under the overhead lateral beam 16. Meanwhile, a line296 or takeup line 296 connects to the trolley 110, thus drawing thetrolley 110 along the rail 112 under the beam 16. One will note that asystem of pulleys 298 a, 298 b, 298 c permits the takeup systems 290,292 to be hidden out of the way on an opposite side of the frame 14 fromall the activities by a user 60.

Referring to FIG. 46, one embodiment of a system 10 in accordance withthe invention may include a frame 14 to support a wall 12 (removed herefor clarity) on which a user 60 may climb and from which that user 60may swing.

In general, a user 60 climbs the wall 12 by virtue of texture, holds 30,or other features on the wall 12 allowing the user 60 to maintain a gripby hand, foot, and usually both. In this embodiment, the trolley 110travels along the rail 112 drawn toward the wall 12 by the trolleytakeup 292 and urged away therefrom by weight of a user 60 on belay line304.

Under the trolley 110, belay lines 304 may be a single line 294. Forstability of path, the belay line 294 is best configured to split intodual belay lines 304. The path for the takeup lines 294, 304, 296 isover a series of pulleys 298 (e.g., 298 a, 298 b, 298 c). In theillustrated embodiment, the belay line 294 moves from a takeup device290, controlled by a controller 140 a (FIG. 17) accessed by the wires295, through a spreader 300 b to take up slack in the lines 294, 304,and over pulleys 298 a to run out parallel to the beam 16, and over twinpulleys 298 b.

The double belay lines 304, a spreader bar 300 (yoke 300) maintainorientation of the user 60 rather than permitting a “precess” motion norswinging side-to-side. The harness 28 is urged to swing perpendicular toa plane of the spreader bar 300. Pulleys 298 m on each end of thetrolley 110 accommodate each of the belay lines 304 individually.

The trolley takeup line 296 is taken up by a trolley takeup system 292,which may be programmatically controlled by a remote controller throughconnecting wires 295, thereby operating a motor, hydraulic pump,pistons, pulley blocks and the like as necessary in the takeup system292. In general, the takeup devices 290, 292 may be “block-and-tackle”types of mechanisms with multiple pulleys and multiple reevings of therespective lines 294, 296 around individual pulleys 298 assembled asblocks 306 of pulleys 298 separated by a hydraulic ram to providemultiple lengths 306 of line 294, 296 taken up for length or distance ofextension of the hydraulic ram.

Although the trolley 110 may be driven away from the frame 14 along therail 112 toward the belay pulleys 298 b, the weight of a user 60suspended by the belay lines 304 passing over the end pulleys 298 m willurge the trolley 110 away from the wall 12 as the climber 60 falls.

In operation, the systems of FIGS. 48 through 50 operate similarly. Ingeneral, a user 60 progresses along a wall 12 that may itself progressforward and upward along the shape of the frame 14. The trolley 110 maymove forward, drawn by the trolley takeup system 292 and line 296 towardthe intersection of the frame 14 and the rail 112, under its supportingbeam 16. The belay lines 304 extend virtually vertically from thetrolley 110 locked there or nearby until a fall is permitted.

The belay takeup 290 is controlled to draw the line 294, and belay lines304, taking in or letting out slack as needed as the climber 60 advancesupward. If the wall 12 and frame 14 are vertical, the trolley 110 islocked “at” or near the frame 14-to-beam 16 junction during the entireclimb.

When the climber 60 falls, leaps, or otherwise releases his or her gripon the wall 12 at the top, the trolley 110 may carry pulleys 298 mslightly farther from the wall 12 and lock.

Release of the trolley 110 to move freely away (left, in illustration)from the wall 12 and frame 14 may be manual or automatic, triggered bythe climber 60, an operator, a timer, a limit switch, or otherprogrammed controller. Once free to roll the trolley 110 responds to theforce vector outward away from the frame 14 and along the rail 112.

The fall of the user 60 is not straight down, nor is it a pure swing. Itis a swinging motion about a moving center of suspension 100 of thepulleys 298 m, moving (left) with the trolley 110.

Referring to FIGS. 47 through 50, a system 10 may operate with avertical wall 12 supported by a vertical frame 14, or retrofitted ontoany wall 12.

A fall prior to completing the climb may result in a sensor 160detecting the fall and the takeup system 290 lifting the user 60 to thetop of the “route” (wall 12). This motion assures that the release ofthe trolley 110 and consequent swinging fall will always initiate in thesame place. A non-climber may even be so lifted from a floor 44 orground to swing this way.

The system 10 illustrated typically operates by a user 60 in a harness28 connecting to the belay line 304 by the chest ring 192 through thelinkages (e.g., 200, 210, 216, etc.) and components discussed in detailhereinabove.

The user 60 may or may not need to advance toward the wall 12 and frame14. If so, the trolley 110 responds by the takeup 292 drawing the line296 across the pulley 298 c and the trolley 110 toward the frame 14. Thebelay takeup 290 may monitor and take up the belay lines 294, 304, butthe takeups 290, 292 need not ever move simultaneously. The user 60 maybe free to walk along the supporting surface toward the frame 14 andwall 12. Eventually, the trolley 110 arrives at the wall 12 at a closebut suitably safe distance.

At this point, the trolley takeup 292 may be locked off or stoppedbecause the trolley 110 will stay at that location as the climber 60ascends, belayed by the takeup 290 taking up slack in the lines 294,304.

At the top of a climb, the trolley 110 is fixed, and the belay lines 304have been continually taken up. In this position, the climber 60 issafe, and cannot fall. The user 60 may thus approach the top of theclimb, fall with the trolley 110 retreating, and move in the arc at thebottom dead center of the swinging motion. The user 60 is nowaccommodated in motion by control of the trolley 110 alone, movingoutward from the wall along the rail 112. This lets out the belay lines304, which are only later taken up as necessary.

Even if a climber 60 does fall, having not fully ascended, the system290 may immediately draw the climber 60 upward at a modest (safe,comfortable) speed.

Upon triggering by a timer, user weight, fall detection, operatorcontrol, programmed computer control, or the like, the trolley 110 isreleased from its position close to the frame 14 with belay lines 304stopped by the takeup 290. The trolley takeup 292 releases freely theline 296, thereby permitting the trolley 110 to move to the left. Thespeed of that movement may be controlled or left to be determined bymomentum and energy transfer of the fall.

Consequently, as the user 60 falls, the belay takeup 290 holds fixed thelines 294, 304. The center of suspension 100 (the pulleys 298 m) moveleft as the climber 60 falls downward and leftward toward and past thetrolley 110 stopped at its extreme position, to swing tangent to, theninto, a circular arc whose radius is the lines 304.

A person incapable, unwilling, or unable to climb may harness up andelevate by the lines 304 from the takeup 290 toward a trolley 110stopped on the rail 112.

After elevating the user 60, the belay lines 294, 304 may halt, lockedby the takeup 290. Upon release of the trolley 110, it retreats, thelines 304 pass over it supporting the fall, yielding a thrill ride withno climbing required.

Referring to FIGS. 53 through 54, a building 303 or other structure 303may support a system 10. For example, a rail 16 may support or even beintegrated with a track 112 secured to a super structure 303 withrafters 303 a, purlins 303 b, various supports 303 c, and reinforcingstruts 303 d. The trolley 110 carrying sheaves 298 m rolls along thetrack 112 drawn by the line 296 and urged away from the wall 12 by theweight of a user 60 suspended therefrom. The pulleys 298 a, 298 m guidethe lines 304 from the spreader 300 b, along the rail 112, back to thetrolley 110, and down over the trolley 110, respectively.

The trolley 110 will respond to the force vector of the lines 304passing over the pulleys 298 m to urge the trolley 110 toward thepulleys 298 b. On the other hand, the trolley 110 is restrained by theline 296 from the trolley takeup system 292, over the trolley controlpulley 298 c. The rate of travel of the trolley may be programmaticallycontrolled or determined by acceleration of the trolley 110 and line 294in response to the momentum of the climber 60.

Following each of the takeup lines 294, 296, 304 from their origins,structures are threaded with the lines 294, 296, and 304 drawn by of atakeup system 290, 292 may be implemented in a either reels, capstans,telescoping hydraulics, block and tackle, a combination or the like. Inthis particular illustrated embodiment, the takeup systems 290, 292 area block-and-tackle type. For example, a block 306 a or 306 c (specificinstance of any block 306) is fixed to a pillar 308 rising from anoperating surface 32 supporting a base 310 providing mechanicalstability and support. The fixed blocks 306 a, 306 c are fixed to thepillars 308.

The movable blocks 306 b, 306 d are movable vertically by hydraulics 312to extend and retract the lines 294, 296, respectively. When the lines294, 296 are threaded around the sets of pulleys 298 h, 298 i, 298 j,and 298 k, through the blocks 306 a, 306 b and 306 c, 306 d,respectively, a “leverage and distance multiplier” equal to the numberof pulleys in each matched pair of blocks 306 results in the lines 294,296.

Accounting for all of the pulleys 298, one will see that the pulley 298a is responsible to support a change in direction of the line 294between the takeup system 290 of the belay and the pulley 298 b at theend of the overhead beam 16 and rail 112 or track 112. Similarly, thetop pulley 298 c above the trolley takeup system 292 makes a turn in theline 296 to change from a vertical movement to a horizontal movementnecessary to draw the trolley 100 across or along the track 112.

The beam 16 is illustrated as level. In some embodiments, it may betilted slightly to favor movement “downhill” away from the wall 12.Thus, for example, a user 60 may climb the wall 12, belayed by the line304 to the trolley 110 until some event ends the climb. At that point,the trolley 110 may release and travel away from the wall 12 sending theclimber into a pendulum fall. Control of the speed of the trolley may beby a linear eddy current brake. Likewise, payout of the line 304 may becontrolled by an eddy current brake on a reel on the trolley 110 or as apart of a takeup system 290, either of such being biased to wind theline 304 in and eddy-current-braked to pay the line 304 out.

In order to support those motions, a system of pulleys 298 includes apulley 298 d carrying the line 294 from the belay takeup system 290through the pulleys 298 e to eventually draw through the spreader 300 bon the double lines 304. To arrive there, the line 294 must also passthrough the pulley 298 e which operates as a sheave 298 e diverting theline 294 from a vertical direction to a horizontal direction, in orderto pass under to the pulley 298 d. The line 294 connects to the spreaderbar 300 b. The lines 304 connect to opposing ends of the spreader bar300 b connecting the double belay lines 304 to the takeup line 294.

By the same token, the pulleys (sheaves) 298 f and 298 g direct thetrolley takeup line 296 from its original vertical displacementdirection, from the sheaves 298 j, to move horizontally out to, andunder, the pulley 298 f. Therefrom, it passes upward to the pulley 298 cthat will direct the line 296 to fix to the trolley 110 suspended underthe track 112.

Backing up farther along the path of the belay takeup line 294 and thetrolley takeup line 296, one will immediately note that each of theselines 292, 294 is threaded around its pulleys 298 h, 298 i and pulleys298 j, 298 k in respective blocks 306 a, 306 b, 306 c, and blocks 306 d,respectively. Each block 306 holds multiple sheaves 298 or pulleys 298.For example, the upper block 306 a of the belay takeup 290 includesmultiple sheaves 298 h. The line 294 or takeup line 294 is threadedaround each of those upper sheaves 298 h or pulleys 298 h and thecorresponding lower pulley 298 i. At the end or terminus of the line294, the line 294 will be anchored to a fixed point. Thus, from a fixedpoint, the line 294 fastened thereat will pass down and up multipletimes around corresponding pairs of pulleys 298 h, 298 i. Ultimately, onthe last pass over an upper pulley 298 h the line 294 will then passdown around the lower belay guide pulley 298 e, and be redirected out toand below the guide pulley 298 e, 298 g.

Displacement of the lower block 306 b away from the upper block 306 a,takes up line 294. In either direction relative movement between theblocks 306 a, 306 b, and will greatly multiply displacement of the line294 proceeding therefrom. For example, if the block 306 a and the block306 b each carry five sheaves 298 h, 298 i, respectively, then amultiplier of ten times the relative displacement between the blocks 306a, 306 b will result in the line 294.

In the same manner, the trolley take up 292 may also be provided with anupper block 306 c, lower block 306 d, carrying sheaves 298 j or pulleys298 j, and 298 k. The relative leverage or increase in relative motionbetween blocks 306 a, 306 b, 306 c, and 306 d may be designed accordingto the preferred ability to adjust that distance and the multiplicationfactor desired for operating the lines 294, 296.

The number of sheaves 298 between the blocks 306 a, 306 b need not bethe same as that number for the blocks 306 c, 306 d. In the illustratedembodiment, those numbers are the same. Similarly, it is preferable thatthe pulleys 298 e be directly fed the line 294 directly from whicheverof the sheaves 298 h feeds lies most directly above it. Likewise, thesheave 298 g is best positioned directly below the sheave 298 j fromwhich the line 294 is fed to that sheave 298 g.

Thus, movement of a lower block 306 b, 306 d toward or away from itscorresponding upper block 306 a, 306 c will result in a deployment(payout) or retrieval, respectively, of the corresponding line 294, 296.A suitable hydraulic system 312 may be secured to drive that relativemotion.

In general, a block-and-tackle system relies on multiple pulleys 298, aline 294, 296, the line 294, 296 being fixed to a single immovableposition at one end. The opposite end of that line 294, 296 extends to afree end responsible for some purpose.

For example, in a conventional block and tackle, operated by hand, auser draws on the free end of a line 294, 296, in order to obtain aleverage advantage in which proportionally more line must be taken up,in order to lift a load supported by the moving block 306 b, 306 d. Thatis, for example, in the illustrated configuration, the tremendous forceavailable by hydraulic drives 312 a, 312 b applies force applied to thelower blocks 306 b, 306 d.

Thus, contrary to traditional block-and-tackle use, force appliedbetween the blocks 306 a, 306 b and 306 c, 306 d in the take up isapplied to the opposite end of the corresponding line 294, 296.

Alternative embodiments for the takeup systems 290, 292 need not be thesame as each other. For example, a capstan may be driven by a motor or amotor on a transmission. Likewise, the takeup systems 290, 292 may eachbe operated as totally integrated takeup system. A motor may rewind aline 294, 296 onto a reel or capstan. An eddy current brake may resistduring release of the collected line 294, 296 therein. In theillustrated embodiment, however, it has been found effective to usehydraulic systems 312 a, 312 b for compact powerful drives capable ofreleasing and retrieving the lines 294, 296 rapidly, in fact, as fast asa user 60 can transfer momentum enough to fall.

Referring to FIG. 55, operation of a system 10 in accordance with theinvention may rely on a climber 60 approaching a climbing wall 12 into alaunch area 24. The climber 60 has previously donned a harness 28. Thatharness 28 is then clipped to a sling 314 interposed between the harness28 of the climber 60 and the spreader 300 connected to the double lines304.

A harnessed climber 60 or rider 60 may follow a path 320 in parts. Thecontroller 140 a for the belay takeup 290, and a controller 140 b forthe trolley takeup 292 may be programmed to provide multiple modes ofoperation. For example, during climbing, a climber 60 is belayed on thesling 314 under the spreader 300 connected to the lines 304 being takenup by the belay takeup system 290. Typically, programming the controller140 a will provide a slight tension (force of a few pounds or kilograms)in the lines 304. The force may be sensed by a typical sensor 160 a, 160b against a line 294, 296, 304. Position may be sensed at a block 306 b,306 d.

As the climber 60 scales the wall 12 along a path segment 320 a, thelines 304 are taken up and maintained in a slight tension (sufficientlysmall to not cause discomfort or instability for a climber 60) by thebelay takeup system 290. If, at any point, the climber 60 falls from thewall 12, the belay lines 304 have already been taken up slack. They willsimply maintain their position by control exerted by the controller 140a controlling the belay takeup 290.

Meanwhile, if the climber 60 does not fall, then the climber 60 maycontinue to ascend the wall 12 to eventually approach the trolley 110overhead above the climber 60. A climber 60 will ultimately execute oneof several actions. First, the climber 60 may reach the top end of awall 12, in close proximity to the trolley 110.

A second possible consequence is that the climber 60 may ascend to thetop of the wall 12 and strike a button or other sensor that tells thecontrollers 140 a, 140 b that the climber 60 has completed the climb. Athird possibility is that the climber 60 may stall. A climber 60 maybecome tired. One 60 may reach an altitude at which certain of theclimbing holds 30 on the wall 12 are no longer accessible or navigablefor the skill level of that climber 60. By whatever cause, the climber60 effectively stalls out short of achieving a target location near thetop of the wall 12.

As mentioned hereinabove, the climber 60 may slip and fall from the wall12. Even if a climber 60 is making steady progress or unsteady progressupward along the wall 12, a predetermined time limit may be required tobe met. Thus, a system 10 may simply time out. The controller system140, meaning either or both of the controllers 140 a, 140 b, may beinformed of that fact by sensors 160, including clocks 160, thusproceeding independently from others' intentions.

By any of the foregoing termination modes, a climber 60 may be drawnalong a path 320 b by operation of the belay takeup 290 retrieving inthe lines 294, 304, the trolley 110 retreating slightly, or both, tosome predetermined distance or position. At this point, the belay lines294, 304 will remain fixed at their lengths, while the controller 140 bof the trolley takeup system 292 will release the line 296 at apredetermined rate as determined suitable, as will be discussedhereinbelow.

Accordingly, the trolley 110 is effectively free to traverse along thetrack 112 away from the wall 12. The trolley 100 may even effectivelyfree wheel at whatever speed the weight of the climber 60 may dictate.In certain embodiments, the controller 140 b may programmatically limitthe speed at which the trolley 110 retreats away from the wall 12. Atechnical analysis may determine an appropriate limit to the speed ofthe fall of the climber 60 along the path 320 c. The fall path 320 c maythus be carefully controlled, programmatically controlled along acertain trajectory, or may simply be dictated by free fall of theclimber 60 at whatever speed the lines 304 may pass over the trolley 110or its pulleys 302 as the climber 60 falls.

A tangent point 320 d is a point 320 d at which the trajectory 320 c ofa climber's fall intersects with a tangent of a path 320 e of swing 320e. For example, in certain previously discussed embodiments, the entirepath 320 c may be a swinging pendulum fall 320 c. In this embodiment, itis not.

One will note that the tangent point 320 d may represent a comparativelyabrupt change in direction. Swinging along the forward path 320 e or thebackward path 320 f with respect to the trolley 110 directly thereaboveis driven by the fall of the climber 60 and the release of the trolley110 by the trolley takeup system 292. That path pair 320 e, 320 f formsa simple arc at a radius determined by the lines 304.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fall path 320 c is neither directlyvertical nor completely semicircular. Rather, the path 320 c issomething in between. Accordingly, a change in direction must occur asthe fall path 320 c intersects the swing path 320 e at a tangent point320 d. The tangent point 320 d is a point 320 d at which a tangent fromthe arc 320 e will intersect the fall path 320 c.

Thus, the belay takeup system 290 and its controller 140 a may beprogrammed to assure programmatically that a climber 60 swinging alongthe paths 320 e, 320 f will not strike the wall 12, an obstruction, orthe underlying surface 32. This will typically be a direct result of thedistance that the trolley 110 moves from its position closest to thewall 12 and its position farthest therefrom.

Back to the issue of the change in direction, the abruptness may besolved or remediated programmatically by control of the trolley 110through the trolley takeup system 292. Alternatively, or in addition,programmatic controls may release or pay out the line 294 by the belaytakeup system 290. Other absorption mechanisms may include, for example,a spring mechanism 316 or attenuator 316 of another type.

The trolley 110 may abut or impact directly against an attenuator 316positioned at its end-of-stroke position. An attenuator 316 may be oneof several varieties. For example, a hydraulic damper, a spring, acomplex system of springs of engineered stiffness may be installed. Suchmay ensure that the trolley 110 is free to move horizontally against aspring 316 resistance, thereby releasing a certain additional length ofthe belay lines 304. This results in a vertical spring effect on theclimber 60.

In some embodiments, the harness 28 or sling 314 may produce certainspring effects. An elasticity of “dynamic line” or the like may permit areduction of shock by extending the time during which forces areremediated on the climber 60. Typically, discomfort results if more thanthree “g's” of acceleration (deceleration) occur (3xgravitationalacceleration).

Thus, the speed of the trolley 110 may be moderated by the trolleytakeup 292. Payout of the belay lines 304 may be moderated by the belaytakeup system 290 may occur instead or in addition. Alternatively or inaddition, some type of an attenuator 316 may simply take up the loadelastically, with or without some amount of damping. Something as simpleas a spring 316, against which the trolley 110 may strike and bounce,may provide sufficient remediation of the impact forces caused by thechange of direction between the fall path 320 c and the swing path 320e.

Again, multiple attenuators 316 or springs 316 may actually be applied.These may include on or within the sling 314, in the harness 28, in oneor more of the yokes 300, 300 b, in the trolley 110, at a distal end(away from the wall, proximal) of the track 112 carrying the trolley 110(carrier 110), in the lines 304, or a takeup 290, 292, or elsewhere.Elastic extension under load as a relief may be placed in the actualpath (e.g., load path) from the climber to the takeup 290, 292, or maybe in some pulley 298, its mount, or the like along that path.

Swinging along the paths 320 e forward and 320 f backward may bepermitted for some predetermined period of time. Thereafter, the trolley110 may be moved toward the wall 12 and the initial launch deck 24 orlaunch location 24 near the wall 12. However, how to attenuate thisswing, and particularly the back swing 320 f, so as not to permit theclimber 60 to strike the wall 12 upon approach, deserves some attention.One way to quickly dampen any swinging motion by the climber 60 from thetrolley 110 is to move the trolley 110 toward the wall 12 during theback swing path 320 f.

For example, the trolley 110 may remain fixed for some number ofoscillations of the climber 60 along the paths 320 e, 320 f. After apredetermined time, the trolley 110 may move toward the wall 12 incoordination with travel along the path 320 f in a few (2-5) suchstrokes.

Accordingly, the climber 60 will rise, not remain at the same minimumheight as during the remainder of the swing. The trolley 110 movingtoward the wall 12 may be compensated by adding additional line 304 orlength of the lines 304 in order to maintain the climber 60 at the sameelevation relative to the surface 32. Thus, force or momentum necessaryfor oscillation is not reintroduced to the climber 60 (e.g., notrecovered from the potential energy of altitude) as a result of theangle made by the lines 304 with respect to the rail 112.

The trolley 110 moving toward the wall 12 while additional line 304 isfed out, at the proper time and position will basically remove the forcethat would impart momentum. This leaves a climber 60 without themomentum or force that would otherwise move the climber 60 toward thepath 320 e.

Ultimately, the trolley 110 will typically move along the path 320 g,carrying the rider 60 parallel to the surface 32 and toward the originallaunch positon 24. Upon arrival close to the wall 12, the belaycontroller 140 a may programmatically pay out the line 294 and lines 304in order to lower the climber 60 to the surface 32 along the path 320 h.

Upon stably standing upon the surface 32, the climber 60 or an attendantmay secure the sling 314 to a ground tether. Then one may unclip or beunclipped from the sling 314 below the spreader 300. The climber 60 maythen move to an area where the harness 28 may be removed. Accordingly,when safe to do so, another climber 60 may approach the wall 12,retrieve the sling 314, and clip in below the spreader 300 under thedouble lines 304.

The climber 60 or an operating attendant may clip the sling 314 to aground anchor, a loop on the wall 12 or an eye bolt secured in thesurface 32, or the like. Alternatively, the belay takeup system 290 maybe programmed to pause awaiting an instruction. Such may be done throughactivation by a button that a climber 60 or attendant strikes whenproperly harnessed 28 and connected to the sling 314. At that point theclimber 60 is safe to be belayed with the modest but undirected take upforce required for such a belay.

Referring to FIG. 56, while continuing to refer generally to FIGS. 1through 57, a process 330 in accordance with the invention may beginwith an approach 331 by a first climber 60 walking to a startingposition 24 such as the launch deck 24. A user 60 may clip in 332 or anattending assistant may clip in 332 a climber 60 wearing a harness 28.

Typically, a sling 314 configured to clip in by a carabiner, forexample, to a harness 28 of a climber 60 may be secured to a ground or aground tether. A ground tether assures that the sling 314 not risefreely due to the upward bias maintained by the belay retrieval system290. It is a good practice to clip in 332 a climber 60, or more properlyto clip 332 the harness 28 of a climber 60 to the sling 314 beforeunclipping 333 from the ground tether. Then, one may unclip 333 theground tether from the sling 314. In this way, a mishandling of thesling 314 with its carabiner or other connection mechanism will notresult in the lines 304 and the sling 314 rising out of reach to a leveldifficult to retrieve.

A safety gate 73 may require opening 334 to actually approach 331, andthe trolley 110 may follow 335 or be fixed there. For example, in oneembodiment, the trolley 110 may be provided with a sensor 160 thatdetects force applied by a user 60 on the lines 304, thereby engagingthe trolley controller 140 b to move the trolley 110 toward the wall 12,while also enabling or controlling the belay controller 140 a to let outmore of the lines 294, 304 in order to accommodate the horizontaldistance that the trolley 110 must move. That is, as a trolley 110 movestoward the wall 12, it will necessarily require an additional payout ofthe lines 304 in order to maintain the vertical position of a climber60.

When a climber 60 is ready to climb, either by manual indication of anattendant pushing a button or simply by detection of sensors 160 in thesystem. Sensors 160 may respond to loading or relaxing load on the sling314 (and necessarily the lines 304 and the line 294). Before the climber60 is climbing, and the trolley 110 needs to be locked 336 in place. Inthis way, the belay takeup system 290 acts truly for belay, retracting337 with a slight bias force, selected for comfort and safety, alwaysapplied to the lines 294, 304, 314 during a climb.

Ultimately, the climb will end 338. Ending 338 may occur by any ofseveral mechanisms discussed hereinabove. Meanwhile, a test 339 maydetermine exactly how a climb is ended 338. For example, if a climber 60falls, then the belay takeup system 290 simply ceases movement and theclimber 60 is suspended by the lines 304 secured to the sling 314. Atthat point, the climb is over and the climber 60 is suspended by thebelay lines 304. If on the other hand, a climber 60 reached the maximumpermitted height near the top end of the wall 12, then the climber 60may touch a bar, button, panel, or other actuator that will indicate 343that the climber 60 has finished, timed out, or detected the force of afall.

A timer may detect that a climber's time allocated for the climb hasexpired. In this case, a test 340 for intervention may be manual orautomatic. Typically, if an attendant sees that a climber 60 has stalled341, then intervention will be appropriate. On the other hand, if aclimber 60 has reached the top of the wall 12 and has not indicated 343completion by touching an actuator exactly what the condition of theclimber 60 is, then an idle 342 or idling condition 342 may exist.

A stall 341 may be a result of a climber 60 becoming too tired. Also,the climbing holds 30 may become too far apart, too small, or otherwiseinaccessible or unusable by the climber 60. Recording 344 the reason forthe end 338 may be a principal reason or the only reason fordistinguishing how the climb ended 338.

One reason for this is that of a process 330 in accordance with theinvention may retract 345 the belay lines 304 regardless of the how 339or test 339 for the end 338 of the climb. In other words, it may be ofonly temporary interest to an operator to know exactly why a climb hasended 338.

Ultimately, regardless of how 339 a climb ended 338, the belay lines 304will typically be retracted 345 by the belay takeup system 290. Thesling 314 and the spreader 300, as well as the harness 28 of a climber60 will have a basically fixed spatial relationship with one another.Accordingly, they may all be registered by the retraction 345 of thelines 304 by the takeup system 290.

For example, typically, the trolley 110 will be moved away from the wall12, thus adding to displacement of the trolley line 296. That line 296will typically be extended while the belay lines 304 willcorrespondingly be retracted over the trolley, requiring movement of thetakeup system 290 to take up the lines 304 passing over and down belowthe trolley 110 in response to its movement.

This will register 346 (position at a known location) the user 60,harness 28, sling 314, and spreader 300 away from the wall 12 andusually above the termination of the climb.

The belay takeup 290 is locked 347, the path 320 b having beencompleted. Now, the climber 60 may fall 349 safely (no risk of contactwith the wall 12 or holds 30) upon release 348 of the trolley 110 (line296) to move along the track 112 away from the wall 12. The overshoot350 or swinging 350 of the climber 60 at the end of a locked 347 belayline 304 will convert the path 320 c into the arc 320 e and back 320 f.The swinging 350 may be ended if a few (2-5) pulses of retracting 337the trolley takeup line 296 during path 320 f.

Opening 334 the safety gate 73 may reset 351 the gate.

Buffering 352 may reduce pendulum swinging of the paths 320 e, 320 f.Comparatively long or short times are considered in terms of throughputcycles of thrill rides rather than arbitrarily in the “eye of thebeholder.” Short may be anything less than 20 seconds (e.g., 5, 10, 15)and long may be over that, to half a minute or even a minute.

The swinging 350 may actually be affirmatively dampened 352 or buffered352 by moving the trolley 110 toward the wall 12 during the path 320 f,moving the pivot point 100 and return force needed to transfer momentumto the climber 60 swinging along the path 320 f. This also takes up thebelay lines 304. Thus, a controller 140, such as either one or both ofthe controllers 140 a, 140 b may operate to control the trolley 110 tomove in an opposite direction from the harness 28 containing a climber60.

This has the effect of robbing the potential energy needed for momentumto reciprocate its direction. That is, if a pivot point 100 created ordefined by the trolley 110 is moved, then potential energy may bereduced. Typically, this will be done by moving the trolley 110 towardthe wall 12, while advancing or paying out the lines 304 to keep aclimber 60 at the same or a lower altitude then otherwise reached byswinging 350.

Eventually, even when the swinging 350 has diminished or decayedsufficiently without intervention, the belay takeup 290 may becontrolled by the controller 140 a to register 353 the user 60 at apreselected height. The trolley 110 may separately or simultaneouslymove toward the wall 12. Eventually a user 60 is transported 354 back toa position 24 close to the wall 12, to be lowered 355 to the ground toproperly ground tie or clip 356 to the ground tether.

The transport step 354 should occur at a level to assure that a climber60 will clear any persons or other obstructions on the ground surface32. Thus, the accidental presence of people in dangerous locations maybe reduced to a non-issue. Accordingly, transport 354 will typicallyinvolve carrying a climber 60 along the path 320 g toward the wall 12.Maintaining a level height is not required, as it will necessitateretraction of the trolley 110 retrieval line 296, with simultaneouspayout of the belay lines 294, 304.

Once the trolley 110 comes to a stop near the wall 12 at the launch deck24, the belay takeup 290 may pay out the belay line 294 to lower 355 theclimber 60 to the surface 32 where the ground tie may be clipped 356 tothe sling 314 and any connectors (carabiners) thereon, before theharness 28 is unclipped 357 from that sling 314.

The climber 60 will typically exit 358 the area 24 and remove theharness 28 someplace remote. In this way, favoring better throughput, asecond climber 60 may now enter 359 and approach 331 a launch deck 24,being fully harnessed previously, and clip in 332 to the sling 314beginning the process 330 again.

Referring to FIG. 57, a system 10 in accordance with the invention maybe illustrated in a schematic block diagram. For example, a climbingspace 361 may be adjacent to and may overlap a swing space 362, above anapproach space 360 over an underlying support 363. A preparation space364 may be remote or part of the approach space 360 closer to the wall12 and other climbing structures 365 such as a frame 14 of any varietysupporting or supported by the overhead structure 366.

Installed inside a building or the like each may be supported bybuilding structures 303 instead, supporting therebelow both a trolleysupport 367 (e.g., track 112) of some type, and various supports 368 forthe belay system 290 and belay lines 304.

Typically, the belay supports 368 are operably connected to the belaydrive 369 including the belay takeup system 290, any associatedbracketing, pulleys, and the like. A controller 140 may control thebelay drive 369 and the trolley drive 371, each drawing lines 294, 296,respectively, passing over belay supports 368 and the trolley supports367.

One value of the diagram is to understand that each of the spaces 360,361, 362, 364 may be engineered to accommodate the actual trajectory orpath 320 of a climber 60 both while climbing and while swinging.Accordingly, the relative proportions and shapes of the spaces 360, 361,362, 364 may be engineered to preclude interference between peopleaccidentally in an approach space 360 during swinging 350 in the swingspace 362.

The belay drive 290 and trolley drive 292, controlled by the controller140, position the climber 60 at a specific position with only certaindegrees of freedom of motion for the protection of the climbers 60.Accordingly, various braking systems may include friction, eddy currentbraking, spring systems, dampers, hydraulic dampers, pneumatic dampers,fluid drag, buffering and so forth. Similarly, the overhead structure366 may be part of a building, freestanding, or supported by theclimbing structure 365.

Control modes available may include computerized, programmatic controlof appropriate components, such as the takeup systems 290, 292controlling the belay lines 304 and the trolley 110 on its retrievalline 296. Position, speed in any direction, and acceleration at somerate toward some target speed may all be programmatically controlled tolimit forces and accelerations to suitable levels.

Typically, a user 60 is comfortable at anything less than 2.5 g's (whereg is the acceleration of gravity), and uncomfortable above 3.5 g's. Somethrill seekers tolerate more. Anecdotally, pilots in extremecircumstances have been documented to have endured, and their airplaneshave survived, about 9 g's.

Thus, in a system in accordance with the invention, the controller 140,including one or more of the controllers 140 a, 140 b (or controllers180, 370, 369, 371) may be processor controlled to maintain loads(forces) felt by a climber 60 within comfortable limits. This isprobably most evident at the tangent point 320 d discussed hereinabove.

Alternatively, the rate of release of the line 294 by the takeup system290 may be manually or programmatically controlled to control the rateof travel by a user 60 during the fall path 320 c. An operator canmanually control or adjust a hydraulic valve to perform this control ofthe fall 349 of a user along the path 320 c. Testing with dead weightsmay also aid manual adjustment of timing of movements of components suchas the lines 294, 296 by the takeup systems 290, 292. This may be doneby adjusting valves controlling movement (e.g., position, direction,speed, acceleration, etc.) of the hydraulic cylinders 312 a, 312 b inthe hydraulic system 312, or whatever motive device is used to pay outand take up the lines 294, 296.

In that regard, development and testing of various embodiments ofsystems 10 indicate, if not militate, that the takeup devices 290, 292be controlled, preferably in both directions. For example, if hydrauliccylinders 314 a, 314 b are used, pressure should be maintained on bothsides of the double-acting pistons therein. Positions should bemaintained by valves controlling input and exit of hydraulic fluid(typically oil).

Oil on both sides of the piston head should be under pressure sufficientto maintain a background pressure. Controls may then change relativepressures to move the pistons. This may be done by providing anaccumulator tank (e.g. back-pressurizing tank or bladder tank) toprovide an instant supply of pressurized hydraulic fluid. An accumulatorwith a valve to bleed off excess oil in it has been found effective.

For example, even supposed “incompressible liquids” like oil willcompress somewhat, although much less than gases by orders of magnitude.Perhaps most significantly, “non-condensable gases” like air (nitrogenand oxygen) were found to condense or absorb comparatively slowly intohydraulic fluid over a period of hours or days. The result was gasesboiling out of solution when pressure was relieved. Relieving pressurecompletely, or even significantly below operating pressures, resulted ingases coming out of solution in seconds or less, and not readilyreturning into solution. Volatile organic compounds from the oil mayalso evaporate comparatively quickly and condense more slowly. Thiseffect by gases was found to cause the fluid against the hydraulicpistons in the rams 314 a, 314 b to be “spongey” or “springy” and makingcontrol difficult and sloppy (having poor tolerances for control). Thuspressures suitable to controlling precisely the movement of the pistonswere maintained.

In certain embodiments, a system 10 in accordance with the invention maybe controlled by stepping through the sequence of FIG. 56 in time. A settime for a climb may be input into a controller 140, 370. A start timeand duration time may be input independently. Once triggered to start,the controller 140, 370 or the like may move through that sequenceunattended. In some embodiments, an attendant may simply need to assurethat harnesses 28 are properly worn, closed, and connected to the sling314.

By sling 314 is meant any suitable and safe connection approved forconnecting the harness 28 to the spreader 300. This is typically awebbing loop, known as a sling 314. Double lines 304 resist spinning bya climber 60 when swinging 350. The lines 304 will complicate connectionif directly connected to a harness 28. Meanwhile forces are significant,requiring metal or stiff and strong composite materials for the spreader300, 300 b. If the spreader is steel or other hard material lackingpadding, a sling 314 is effective to keep the spreader 314 away from aface or head of a climber.

This sling 314 may include a carabiner, typically a locking type, ormore than one. It may include a loop of safety webbing (typically calleda sling in climbing parlance between a pair of carabiners. It may be a“quick draw” (a pair of carabiners connected by a short, looped segmentof webbing sewn together in the middle). Such would typically not havelocking carabiners and would therefore not usually be used for a knownfalling situation that may change orientation of a climber 60 in any ofsix degrees of freedom (three in linear translation and three inrotation).

In some embodiments, a climber may be clipped in 332 at the back of aharness. However, such harnesses not consistent with Applicant'sinvention are typically used (including virtually all full-bodyharnesses 28 known to and researched by Applicant at present) only aslife safety devices. As such, they are a one-use product. Any falldeploys destructible and replaceable elements that must then be replacedand the harness re-built before further use. Although “Aussie-stylerappelling” relies on a climbing rope secured to the back of a waistbelt, no falling is contemplated in such a “top-roped” scenario.Catching a falling climber 60 by the back of the waist belt of aseat-type harness is life-threateningly dangerous, and absolutelyinappropriate.

As discussed hereinabove, even a person unable or unwilling to climb maybe harnessed in, connected (clipped in332) to the sling 314, and liftedalong a modified path 320 b to experience the fall 349 and swing 350. Ofcourse, in certain embodiments of a wall 12, this may be awkward.However, if the swinging 350 actually starts at a location directlyaccessible to a sling 314 below a trolley 110, even a purelysemicircular swing path 320 e, 320 f may begin with a lifting of a user60 in a harness 28 or chair to a drop point. Tensioned lines 304 wouldneed no additional movement of a center of pivot, as discussed withrespect to various alternative embodiments discussed hereinabove.

In general, for most circumstances, however, the time allotted to aclimb may be set, and a climber may begin climbing, belayed 337 from apivot point 100 above. Upon successful and timely arrival at an actuatorbar, button, ring, or the like at the top of the climbing route, theclimber may strike the actuator and receive a light, buzzer, blinkingdisplay of time elapsed, or other celebratory feedback from the system10. A climber may be timed out after the elapsed time set in advance.One may time out due to failure to strike the actuator for any reason.One may be unsuccessful due to dallying, too slow progress, inability tonavigate holds 30, or the like. If timed out for any reason, the climbermay be drawn from the wall by the lines connected to the harness. Thefall may be delayed or immediate. It may be safest to draw the user 60upward and away from the wall 12 to a predetermined “fall start point.”This may preclude any striking or scuffing by the rider 60 or climber 60against the wall 12 or holds fastened to it. The fall may then be verypredictable, whether it be a true semicircular path or “pendulum fall”or a modified pendulum fall comprised of a fall below a moving trolley110, eventually becoming a pendulum swing after the trolley 110(positioner 18) comes to halt above.

In various embodiments a line 27 for belaying 337 and swinging 350 maybe made up of various components, such as the lines 304, sling 314,spreader 300 and so forth. It may terminate at an anchor point for theblock 306 b or may be wrapped around a capstan as a takeup 290. In fact,a line may have two ends or be part of an “endless loop” with no ends,to be moved in a reciprocating fashion. Each type of takeup system 290has it benefits, burdens, costs, and risks. Capstans must be fast andrely on friction to retract and pay out a line 27. Hydraulics are heavy,involve much framing support, as well as oil handling and pumping.However, they provide high ratios of line length to piston movement.Winches or other reels are typically slower than either, and may requiresome opposing force to draw a line 27 out of the winch. In fact, mostwinches are ratcheted or worm driven.

Referring to FIG. 58, each of the sensors 160 a is a distance sensor 160a and a controller 160 a responsible to verify the position of themoveable (lower) blocks 306 b, 306 d. Thus, if displacement of the block306 b, 306 d is incorrect, inadequate, or the like, information from thedistance sensors 160 a will connect through a communication line 295 tothe controller 140, which may ultimately report to a remote computer 382over a connection, illustrated by the radio signal, such as the internetor another network.

The force sensors 160 b operate on lines 294, 296 or may detect forceson the pulleys 298 a, 298 c. Thus, tension or slack may be detected andmeasured for feedback control of valves 160 c, which are actuallycombined sensors 160 c and flow control valves 160 c or flow in and outof the hydraulic cylinders 312 a, 312 b. Thus, the controller 140through communication lines 295 may receive inputs from and send signalsto each of the sensors 160 (160 a, 160 b, 160 c). All may be reported toor controlled by the controller 140 or through it by the remote computer382.

The pump 372 provides pressurized oil into the lines 380 downstream,including to the pressure tank 376. The pressure tank 376 may provide abiased pressure to the belay cylinder 312 a. Either cylinder 312 a, 312b may be pressurized by the pump 372 directly through connecting lines380 which also represent schematically return lines 380 into the sump374 from which the pump 372 draws.

The pressure sensors 160 d connected to the various hydraulic lines 380feedback information to the controller 140 through lines 295 (datacommunication links 295) to assist in control of the pump 372, pressuretank 376, hydraulic cylinders 312 a, 312 b, and so forth by thecontroller 140.

Thus, all active elements and moving parts may be monitored by sensors160, which may include controls, reporting back to the controller 140and remote computer 382 at all times. Therefore, no active component canescape observation, control, and a halt command if operation is notwithin the predetermined value of its operational parameters (e.g.,force, tension, pressure, displacement, position, speed, acceleration,and so forth). Thus, in general, the lines 295 represent a communicationconnection of wire or wireless type to and from the controller 140recording all sensors 160 Likewise, each hydraulic cylinder 312 a, 312b, can receive from the pump 372 pressurized oil and return released(unpressurized) oil through appropriate hydraulic lines 380 into thesump 374 as directed.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its purposes, functions, structures, or operationalcharacteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in allrespects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of theinvention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather thanby the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaningand range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:
 1. A method of thrill riding combining climbing and swinging,the method comprising: providing a climbing structure extending upwardfrom a surface, a pivot point moveable thereabove from a first positionproximate the climbing structure to a second position spaced awaytherefrom, and a line extending from the pivot point and capable ofconnecting to a user harnessed and proximate the surface; belaying theuser by taking up the line during the user climbing up the climbingstructure; swinging the user by initiating falling of the user,supported by the line, away from the climbing structure; and precludingcontact between the user and the climbing structure during the swingingby moving the pivot point from the first position to the second positionduring the falling.
 2. For use in the method of claim 1: a climbing wallas a portion of the climbing structure; and a belay takeup deviceoperably connected to take up slack in the line.
 3. For use in themethod of claim 2: a track; a trolley as a carrier of the pivot pointand capable of traveling along the track between the first position andsecond position; and a trolley takeup device capable of moving thetrolley to the first position and releasing the trolley to travel to thesecond position in response to weight of the user.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, comprising: attenuating the swinging by drawing the trolley andpivot point toward the climbing structure during a portion of theswinging toward the climbing structure.
 5. The method of claim 4,comprising: controlling height of a user above the surface by moving thetrolley with the line passing over a sheave, on the trolley, definingthe pivot point as a center of rotation of the sheave.
 6. An apparatuscomprising: a climbing structure; a support system providing a center ofpivot positioned above the climbing structure to support the center ofpivot in a first position proximate the climbing structure and a secondposition spaced away from the climbing structure; a line descending fromthe center of pivot and capable of connecting to and belaying a userascending the climbing structure; a belay takeup effective to tension,retrieve, and pay out the line, independently from movement of the pivotpoint; a trolley providing support and movement of the pivot point inmoving along a track; and a trolley takeup system capable of moving thetrolley toward the climbing structure and away from the climbingstructure, independently from operation of the belay takeup.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 6, wherein: the track is secured to the supportsystem and extending in a direction away from the climbing structure;the center of pivot is secured to be selectively movable along the rail;and the line is reaved over sheaves on the support system and the centerof pivot to descend to the user while ascending.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 6, comprising a wall as part of the climbing structure, providedwith holds and texturing for engagement by the user in the ascending. 9.The apparatus of claim 6, comprising a controller capable of controllingthe belay takeup and the trolley takeup system during the ascending anda pendulum fall subsequent to the ascending.
 10. The apparatus of claim10, comprising: a harness capable of connecting the user to the line andsupporting the user during the pendulum fall; the controller programmedto belay the user by tensioning the line during the ascending andlocking the line against paying out from the belay takeup consequent toa fall of the user from the climbing structure.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 11, wherein the controller is programmed to control the belaytakeup paying out the line to lower the user to the surface by payingout the line over the center of pivot in a fixed position thereof. 12.The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the trolley is movable away from theclimbing structure during the pendulum fall.
 13. The apparatus of claim13, wherein the line has an effective length between the user and thebelay takeup, and the effective length is constant during the pendulumfall.
 14. A method of amusement riding comprising: providing a climbingstructure extending upward away from a surface, a belay line capable ofconnecting to and belaying a user ascending the climbing structure, asupport system oriented to swing the user on the belay line away fromthe climbing structure in response to a pendulum fall by the user, acenter of pivot about which the belay line turns down to the user andwhich remains movable away from the climbing structure during thependulum fall; connecting to a proximate end of the belay line a harnesssecured about the user proximate the surface; taking up slack in thebelay line; drawing the user toward a registration position proximatethe climbing structure and the support system; dropping the user in apendulum fall by moving the pivot point away from the climbingstructure; swinging by the user away from and then back toward theclimbing structure; attenuating the swinging by moving the center ofpivot toward the climbing structure during the swinging back toward theclimbing structure; and descending the user to the surface by paying outthe belay line with the pivot point remaining in a fixed location.